Real Madrid make FINAL decision on Militao replacement
Cameron Smith
- 13 Aug 2023 18:24 BST
- 4 min read
Real Madrid have decided against signing a replacement for Eder Militao, despite the Brazilian defender’s potentially season-ending anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury.
Militao, 25, suffered the blow during Los Blancos’ first La Liga game of the season - a 2-0 win over Athletic Club - and he looks set to miss the majority of the 2023-24 campaign.
Real Madrid have confirmed that Militao will undergo surgery in the coming days, but did not reveal how long they believe he will be sidelined for.
MORE: Five defenders Real Madrid could sign to replace Eder Militao
An ACL injury usually wipes out around nine months of a player’s career, with a further delay to playing regular football afterwards.
Chelsea pair Wesley Fofana and Armando Broja have both suffered ACL injuries in the last year, while Aston Villa’s Tyrone Mings ruptured his ACL in the opening round of 2023-24 Premier League fixtures.
As a result, Carlo Ancelotti will be left with just David Alaba, Antonio Rudiger and Nacho Fernandez as senior, fit centre-backs at his disposal for the majority of this season.
MORE: Premier League 2023/24 summer transfers: All the Done Deals
Militao is the second Real Madrid to suffer a damning ACL injury in the past week, with goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois also falling foul of a serious knee injury.
Chelsea’s Kepa Arrizbalaga has been lined-up as his replacement, with the Spaniard on the verge of joining Los Blancos on a season-long loan deal.
He was not present in Chelsea’s matchday squad for their Premier League opener against Liverpool, with his transfer to Real Madrid close to completion.
Real Madrid decide against signing a Militao replacement
Despite the setback for Militao, Real Madrid have decided they will not sign a replacement this summer window, according to Diario AS.
Real Madrid Castilla centre-back Raul Gonzalez is deemed as the most likely youth option to be promoted into the first-team fold following Militao’s injury, as per the Spanish media.
Militao made 52 appearances in all competitions for Los Blancos last season, with the Brazil international seen as Ancelotti’s first-choice centre-back option. New signing Antonio Rudiger and David Alaba often shared minutes next to Militao.
