Real Madrid's David Alaba suffers knee injury setback
Real Madrid defender David Alaba has suffered a meniscus injury in his left knee and is unlikely to feature again before the Club World Cup.
Alaba is Madrid's third defender to have been confirmed as facing a layoff on Tuesday, with left-back Ferland Mendy set to miss the rest of the season after sustaining an injury during Saturday's 3-2 Copa del Rey final defeat by Barcelona and Antonio Rudiger expected to be sidelined for around six weeks after undergoing surgery for a meniscus tear.
Advertisement
Carlo Ancelotti's side are also without long-term defensive absentees Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao.
Like Rudiger, the club expect Alaba, who will undergo minor surgery, is expected to return to selection for the revamped Club World Cup. Madrid get their tournament underway against Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal on June 18.
32-year-old Alaba's season has been restricted by injury problems that have limited him to just seven appearances in La Liga across 2024-25.
The Austria international started in both Madrid's Champions League quarter-final leg defeats against Arsenal earlier this month and most recently started in the league victory at Getafe on April 23.
Alaba is now set to miss the remaining five matches of Madrid's La Liga campaign, including a potential title-deciding match away to Barcelona on May 11.
Madrid's current central defensive options are limited to Raul Asencio and Aurelien Tchouameni, a midfielder by trade, with Castilla defender Jacobo Ramon another option.
()
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
29 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Luis Henrique joins Inter Milan ahead of Club World Cup
Brazilian winger Luis Henrique has signed for Inter Milan from Marseille becoming the Italian club's second signing ahead of the Club World Cup in the United States. "A new Inter player joins the family, welcome Luis," this season's Italian Serie A and Champions League runners-up said on Saturday. Advertisement The Brazilian, who arrived in Marseille in 2020, made 108 appearances and scored 11 goals for the French club in all competitions. He went on loan to Botafogo in 2022, returning to Ligue 1 in January 2024, scoring seven goals and providing eight assists in the league last term. According to the Italian press, Inter will pay 23 million euros ($26 million) for the 23-year-old. Inter also signed Croatian midfielder Petar Sucic last week for 14 million euros from Dinamo Zagreb, with the Club World Cup kicking off on June 14 in the United States. "I am very happy to have signed for such a big club. I think it will be a huge jump in quality in my career," said the Brazilian. Advertisement "I have known this league very well since a young age. "There have many important Brazilians that have played here at Inter. I also want to make history here, just like they did." He added: "I hope we will make it as far as possible and that we will manage to win this competition that is starting soon." The northern Italian giants are also expected to formalise the arrival of Cristian Chivu early next week as the replacement for coach Simone Inzaghi, who left to join Saudi club Al Hilal. jr/smr/ea/nf
Yahoo
37 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Liverpool Could Sign Real Madrid Forward for £75million This Summer
Rodrygo Transfer Would Mark Strategic Coup for Liverpool Under Michael Edwards Michael Edwards' return to Liverpool has sparked a revival not just in structure, but in sharp decision-making across the transfer front. The club has wasted no time, with Jeremie Frimpong already secured and talks progressing for both Florian Wirtz and Milos Kerkez. However, the potential headline-grabber of the summer may well be yet to come. Advertisement As reported by Ben Jacobs, Liverpool are in discussions over the potential signing of Rodrygo Goes from Real Madrid, who could be available for just €90/£75million. That figure, in today's market, especially considering Saudi side Al Nassr are reportedly willing to pay €85 million for Luis Diaz, would represent shrewd business at Anfield. Exit Signs for Diaz and Nunez It now seems increasingly likely that Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz will leave the club this summer. The former has 'one foot out of the door,' while Diaz has 'confirmed he has held talks with other clubs.' These developments significantly change the shape of Liverpool's attacking plans under Arne Slot. Advertisement With Wirtz being lined up, Liverpool appear ready to sign not one but two new forwards. In that light, the potential addition of Rodrygo offers more than just depth. It signals intent to build a multi-dimensional, explosive attack, tailor-made for modern football. Rodrygo Is a Long-Term Target Revisited For Edwards, this is not a new fascination. Rodrygo was on his radar as early as 2017, when the sporting director first tried to bring him to Anfield. The player reportedly turned down that approach, feeling it was too soon in his career. But now, circumstances have changed. As Jacobs noted, Rodrygo 'has been pinpointed as a generational talent,' and that view has only strengthened. Real Madrid's decision to sell stems from their glut of attacking options and a desire to balance their books after signing Kylian Mbappé. Photo: IMAGO Rodrygo now has the chance to play in his preferred position on the left wing, something that was rarely possible at Madrid. Liverpool, who are building a new-era frontline centred around Mohamed Salah and likely Florian Wirtz, could offer him both prominence and positional freedom. Financial Logic Backs the Move In football economics, €90 million for a 23-year-old Brazilian international with Champions League pedigree is close to a steal. Especially when compared to similar potential outgoings. It's not just a footballing decision, it's a financial one too. Advertisement Given that Liverpool are reportedly receiving around €85 million for Diaz, the net spend on upgrading to a player of Rodrygo's calibre would be minimal. As the report puts it, 'Rodrygo would be a dream deal,' and there's little reason to doubt that assessment. Our View – Anfield Index Analysis This would be the type of signing that excites Liverpool fans not just because of the name, but because of what it signals. Arne Slot already has the fanbase behind him after delivering a Premier League title in his debut season. Now, adding a world-class attacking talent like Rodrygo would only push the club closer to a new dynasty. Rodrygo's technical excellence, versatility and goal-scoring ability make him an ideal fit for a Liverpool side transitioning out of the Klopp era but keen to stay at the top of English and European football. He could slot into the left of a front three, complementing Salah and potentially Wirtz, with room to rotate into central or right-sided roles if needed. This isn't about buying for buying's sake. It's strategic. It's Michael Edwards at his calculating best. And if Liverpool can complete this move swiftly, the rest of Europe will sit up and take notice. The dream is no longer just winning titles, it's building a legacy. Rodrygo could be a major pillar in that plan.
Yahoo
44 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Ronaldo doesn't plan to play at Club World Cup
Portugal's Christiano Ronaldo (E) celebrates scoring his side's second goal during the UEFA Nations League semi final soccer match between Germany and Portugal at Allianz Arena. Federico Gambarini/dpa Cristiano Ronaldo has dmissed speculation that he could play at the Club World Cup, saying on Saturday it was all but certain that he wouldn't feature at the tournament in the United States starting in a week's time. Portugal captain Ronaldo told reporters ahead of Sunday's Nations League final against Spain in Munich that he had received offers and that there had been talks but that he had effectively made up his mind. Advertisement "I will not be at the Club World Cup," the 40-year-old Ronaldo said. "Some teams reached out to me. Some made sense and others did not." Ronaldo's contract at Saudi Pro League club Al-Nassr, who are not qualified for the 32-team event, expires on June 30. FIFA president Gianni Infantino had recently fuelled speculation that Ronaldo could be present for another club. FIFA has created a special transfer window until Tuesday for the clubs playing in the US. Five-time Ballon d'Or winner Ronaldo will either need to renew at Al-Nassr or join a new club to continue playing, but he is wasting no thoughts on retirement yet. "I don't have many more years to play - but I'm enjoying the moment," he said.
