David Alaba‘s career took a 180-degree turn in December 2023, when he suffered a serious knee injury at the height of his career with Real Madrid since his arrival. It was thirteen months of torment, with a recovery that was delayed week after week, a recovery that weakened him mentally. In January of this year, he finally returned to the pitch in an official match with his teammates, but the ordeal was not over yet.
Alaba unable to find form
The footballer returned with an obvious and understandable physical deficit. He needed to accumulate minutes, regain muscle, and build confidence so that, little by little, he could recover the feelings that had made him one of the best center backs in the world. But the muscle and knee injuries continued, along with a performance level well below what he had before he was injured. Ancelotti kept giving him chances, but against Arsenal, the last time he was seen in action, he put in a very disappointing performance. Since then, he has not been seen on the pitch.
Little hope at Real Madrid
At Real Madrid, there are few excuses, and they are not going to wait forever for a player. That is the demand, that is what the badge demands, the demand of a club that aspires to win everything and is not willing to make concessions whatever the circumstances.
The club has little hope that David Alaba will be able to return to the level he was at before his injury. They did not expect his adaptation after his return to be so slow and believed that by April he would have found a level of fitness that would allow him to do his job. The reality has been very different, forcing Real Madrid to look for alternatives for next season.
Real Madrid wants Alaba out
At the Santiago Bernabéu offices, they are looking for a way to offload him in this summer transfer window. They believe that he will gradually regain his rhythm and could start next season with the potential to offer better performances, but never at the level he had before his injury. The player turns 33 this summer, a veteran who, in the eyes of the board, will never be the same again. Although they believe he could be a luxury reserve for next season, the Austrian’s high salary drastically conditions the decisions that can be made in the offices.
Real Madrid wants to sell Alaba, or is even considering giving him a free transfer. They know they will not be able to receive a high transfer fee for him, due to his performance and because his contract expires in the summer of 2026. The complicated thing about his situation is his salary, something the player will not be willing to give up unless another club pays it, which seems impossible at this stage of his career.
The player has already stated that he wants to stay with the team, that he wants to help Real Madrid, and that he believes it is the best springboard to prepare for the 2026 World Cup. He claims to have the club’s confidence and says he is motivated to get back into shape.
Of course, if he regains his form, he would be a luxury replacement for the team, but the team’s management does not see the sense in one of the team’s highest-paid players being relegated to the bench and playing a secondary role.