Real Madrid has been dealt a massive blow to their defensive line as club captain Dani Carvajal has been officially ruled out of action until early in the new year The veteran right-back is set to undergo arthroscopic surgery on his right knee a procedure that will see him miss the remainder of the calendar year and potentially return only in January 2026 .
The news casts a shadow over the morale at the Santiago Bernabéu which was recently buoyed by a significant victory in El Clásico over rivals FC Barcelona Carvajal’s absence will force manager Xabi Alonso to make immediate adjustments to his starting lineup during a crucial fixture-congested period .
The Injury Diagnosis and Procedure
The injury to the 33-year-old Spanish international occurred during or immediately after the high-intensity clash against Barcelona on Sunday where he featured as a second-half substitute Following the match Carvajal reported discomfort prompting immediate medical examinations by the Real Madrid Medical Services .
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Official Club Statement
The club released an official medical report confirming the severity of the issue The statement read .
“Following tests carried out on our captain Dani Carvajal by the Real Madrid Medical Services he has been diagnosed with the presence of a loose body in his right knee joint Carvajal will now undergo an arthroscopy” .
The presence of a loose intra-articular body in the knee joint necessitates surgical intervention to remove and repair any surrounding tissue damage Reports from reliable Spanish media outlets suggest the recovery period for this type of procedure will keep Carvajal on the sidelines for approximately two to three months This timeline effectively rules him out for the rest of 2025 and anticipates a potential return sometime in January 2026 .
A Recurring Nightmare
This latest setback is particularly frustrating for Carvajal and the club as it affects the same right knee that has caused him significant problems in recent seasons The defender only recently returned from a prior calf injury sustained in September More worryingly this is the same knee in which he suffered a severe injury in October 2024 tearing his anterior cruciate ligament and two other structures an injury that forced him to miss the majority of the 2024-2025 campaign .
The recurring nature of the problem especially in the same joint will likely necessitate an extremely cautious approach to his rehabilitation to prevent any further long-term complications For the captain who had only just re-established his place in the squad after a lengthy layoff this new injury halts his efforts to regain full fitness and consistency .
Matches and Competitions Missed
Carvajal’s multi-month absence comes at a critical juncture for Real Madrid who are currently leading the La Liga table The defender is set to miss at least ten competitive fixtures across two major competitions La Liga and the UEFA Champions League .
Key matches Carvajal is expected to miss include .
- La Liga Fixtures Games against Valencia Rayo Vallecano Elche Girona Celta Vigo Alavés and Sevilla among others .
- UEFA Champions League Crucial group stage matches including the trip to face Liverpool at Anfield and the home fixture against Manchester City .
- Domestic Supercup He is also highly likely to miss the Spanish Supercup tournament scheduled for early January 2026 where Real Madrid is set to face Atlético Madrid in the semi-final .
Tactical Consequences for Real Madrid
Manager Xabi Alonso now faces a defensive headache particularly at right-back With Carvajal ruled out for a significant duration the burden of covering the position falls primarily on other squad members .
The most likely replacement will be summer signing Trent Alexander-Arnold who himself has recently recovered from a muscle injury While Alexander-Arnold is a world-class talent he will now have to step into the role immediately during the most demanding phase of the season Another makeshift option for Alonso is midfielder Federico Valverde who has successfully provided cover at right-back on several occasions including in the recent El Clásico .
Carvajal’s leadership defensive solidity and experience will be sorely missed as the team navigates the challenges of the busy winter schedule Real Madrid’s focus will now shift to ensuring a smooth surgery and rehabilitation process for their captain hoping he can return to full fitness early in the new year to contribute to the second half of the season .
Dynamic Disclaimer Requirement
Disclaimer The news information presented here is based on available reports and reliable sources concerning the injury of a Real Madrid player Readers should cross-check updates and official medical reports from Real Madrid CF and official news outlets for the most current information regarding the player’s status and recovery timeline .