Real Madrid currently has three footballers recovering from cruciate ligament ruptures. Two are from the first team, Militao and Carvajal. The third is the gem of Castilla, Joan Martínez, who is almost ready after being injured on the summer tour with the first team.
Carvajal quickens the pace
Dani Carvajal has taken his recovery very seriously and at Real Madrid they are impressed by the progress of the Leganés player. After picking up the injury last October in Real Madrid’s win against Villarreal, the youth team player accepted what had happened perfectly and got down to work.
Since his operation, his discipline has been incredible. He has worked very hard with the aim of returning to the team as soon as possible, and the deadlines are getting shorter. Just this week he has put on his boots and stepped back onto the pitch at the Bernabéu, a sensation that has brought joy back to the footballer.
Part of Real Madrid’s coaching and fitness staff are convinced that Carvajal could be available for the end of the season given his great progress and recovery, but they rule it out, seeing it as an unnecessary risk and his return will be at the Club World Cup at the earliest, but it remains to be seen whether it is more prudent to wait for the start of the league season.
Militao has learnt his lesson
One positive thing for Militao is that he has learnt his lesson. The Brazilian went through the same thing just a year ago, which has allowed him to learn from his mistakes and optimise what went well last year. This allows him to be making an optimal recovery, knowing what he has to do and how he has to do it at all times. His recovery is going into its fourth month, but he is also making great progress, and it is hoped that he will be fully recovered by July or August, but recovered does not mean fit. But it is hoped that by September he will be able to get into the group dynamic and gradually accumulate minutes.
There are high hopes for the Brazilian centre-back, his discipline and dedication bode well for a full recovery and it is hoped that by the end of the year he will have returned to his best so that he can help Real Madrid.
Joan Martínez, the jewel of the youth academy
Joan Martínez is unknown to many fans, and although he is a Castilla player, his injury came on the summer tour of the first team of Real Madrid. He was one of the players chosen and had a good chance of being included in Carlo Ancelotti‘s plans for this season. Seven months have passed since the injury and his comeback is imminent, expected in the last days of March or early April.
The player has also managed to shorten the time and, even if it is with the second team, his return is awaited with great expectation. He is a unique footballer, destined to be one of the great talents of football in the coming years, and his future with the white shirt will depend on how he returns and his development. His recovery and motivation are fuelled by the confidence he knows Ancelotti has in him, and he knows he has a chance to be a first team player in the coming years.
The Real Madrid infirmary is still at full capacity, but the footballers are gradually seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. Carvajal and Militao are key for next season, and Joan Martínez could be the future of Real Madrid. We will see if his serious injuries don’t scupper his plans.