The numbers are alarming. Just three months into the 2024-25 season, seven players have already torn their cruciate ligaments and bid farewell to the campaign: Carvajal, Thierry, Hamari Traoré, Marc Bernal, Militao, Franquesa, and Akhomach. Real Madrid youth players Joan Martínez and César Palacios can be added too to this grim list.

Europe is witnessing a similar trend, with 27 cruciate ligament tears reported across the top five leagues (Spain, England, Italy, Germany, and France). Notable cases include Manchester City’s Rodri. Adding other severe knee injuries, such as Marc-André Ter Stegen’s torn patellar tendon and Nyland’s external ligament tear, the figures become even more staggering.

For Real Madrid, the injury crisis is all too familiar. Last season, the club grappled with cruciate ligament tears for Courtois, Militao, and Alaba, with the latter still in recovery. In total, they dealt with 48 injuries last season and have already recorded 19 this term, raising concerns about what lies ahead. In the previous 2022-23 campaign, injuries had piled up to a shocking 72 in total.

The club doesn't attribute the situation to its coaching staff, particularly Antonio Pintus, who oversees physical preparation. Instead, the blame is placed on the demanding football calendar. Madrid's January schedule could see them play nine games in just one month, with matches every 3-4 days. This relentless pace is part of a season that stretches from July to July, potentially involving up to 72 games for Real Madrid alone—not to mention the additional commitments for international players.

At Valdebebas, the focus is clear: the exhausting workload, lack of recovery time, and relentless travel schedules are wearing down not only the Real Madrid squad but players across Europe. The club views the ever-expanding calendar as a key factor behind this growing injury crisis.

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