Despite Real Madrid's crushing 4-0 defeat to PSG in the Club World Cup semifinals, there was a glimmer of hope in the form of two long-awaited comebacks: Éder Militão and Dani Carvajal.

The Brazilian centre-back stepped onto the pitch midway through the second half, marking his return 242 days after suffering a devastating knee injury. He had torn his anterior cruciate ligament and damaged both menisci during a match against Osasuna last November. The severity of the injury was immediately evident from his reaction on the field.

Dani Carvajal had experienced a similar ordeal weeks earlier. The right-back sustained a brutal blow to his knee after colliding with Yeremy Pino while attempting a clearance. The awkward movement caused a tibial hyperextension of 5 to 10 degrees, tearing three ligaments, including the ACL. His recovery took the same amount of time: 242 days.

Xabi Alonso brought them on late in the match, not as a tactical move, but as a gesture of recognition. The game was already beyond reach, but giving both players minutes on the pitch was a reward for their dedication and a way to lift their spirits after months of rehabilitation.

Despite the heavy loss, both players showed determination. Carvajal immediately picked up a yellow card for stopping a counterattack, while Militão let PSG’s Barcola know he wasn’t there to be toyed with. The scoreboard offered no comfort, but at least they got to feel like footballers again.

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