Eder Militao compounded Real Madrid injury woes as he picked up an ACL injury during 2023/24 Laliga opener against Atletico Bilbao.
The Laliga and European giants took on Atletico Bilbao in a crunch opening Laliga tie on Saturday.
Hours before the game, first choice goalkeeper, Thibaut Courtois was hit with the same ACL injury on Thursday during the club’s training session.
Courtois injury blow forced Real Madrid into a shock raid of the transfer market for a new goalkeeper to stand in for the injured Belgian.
Futballnews understands Chelsea goalkeeper, Kepa Arrizabalaga has been signed on a season-long loan deal to keep the sticks for the Los Blancos till Courtois’ return.
Eder Militao also hit with ACL injury blow
Hours after Courtois’ injury, Eder Militao suffered a similar ACL injury blow against Atletico Bilbao.
Hale and hearty, Eder Militao traveled with the squad for the game against Atletico Bilbao. He made Carlo Ancelotti’s lineup as he was instrumental to the club’s quick first half double courtesy of goals from Rodrygo and Jude Bellingham.
Coming under intense pressure by Atletico Bilbao throughout the first half, Militao joined his teammates to pull a solid defensive display that deter their opponents and limited their chances as they ran out with a hard-fought first half win.
Ten minutes into the second half, Militao suffered the devasting injury blow after he attempted a recovery of the ball against his opponent, Saucet, but ended up slipping off balance, leaving his knee to suddenly jerk out.
He plunged to the ground immediately and screamed in agony before Real Madrid medical staff raced into the pitch to attend to him.
Eder Militao could not continue with the game. He had to be subbed off and was in tears as he was helped off the pitch by the medical staff.
Details of the severity of the injury was not communicated immediately during the game as the club’s medical department needed to examine the extent of the damage done and his prospects of returning to the action with the squad.
Now, Real Madrid club statement confirming Militao’s injury situation has revealed the player has suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left and will undergo surgery and a rehabilitation.
“Following tests carried out on our player Eder Militao, he has been diagnosed with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.
”The player will undergo surgery in the coming days,” Real Madrid club statement reads.
The club did not, however, reveal how long Militao will spent on the sideline before returning to action but reports have revealed Eder Militao will be out for atleast six months, missing over half of the 2023/24 campaign.
Real Madrid have enough options on their defensive lineup to stand in for Militao with the likes of Anthony Rudiger, David Alaba, and Nacho Fernandez available for the squad. However, it is still unclear whether Real Madrid will go shopping for a defender to replace Eder Militao as they did for Thibaut Courtois.
It is not the first time the Brazil defender has been hit with a deadly injury blow. Militao’s Real Madrid spell has been marred with injuries and frequent spells on the sideline
He has an overly poor history when it comes to his fitness level at the club. Militao suffered two injury blows last season – a muscle and hamstring injury – that saw him miss six matches for the club.
He missed a match due to flu inflection in 2021/22 season, picked up a knock twice in 2020/21 season, missing 9 matches. He also suffered a thigh muscle in 2017/18 season, missing a match.
He will hope to recover soon from his recent blow and return to action with the club later in the season.
