Carvajal and Militão are back
Both Madrid defenders returned to play for the Whites after recovering from serious injuries.
Dani Carvajal and Eder Militão reappeared for Real Madrid in the Club World Cup semi-finals after recovering from their respective injuries. The full-back returned nine months after suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament, a torn external collateral ligament, and a ruptured popliteal tendon in his right leg.
Carvajal was injured on 5 October 2024 in a match against Villarreal at the Bernabéu, corresponding to the ninth round of LaLiga. Six days later, he underwent surgery and, from there, began a long recovery process that has culminated in his return to the field of play. He came on for Gonzalo in the 71st minute and made his comeback for the Whites in an official match.
Militão returned eight months after suffering a complete tear of the anterior cruciate ligament with involvement of both menisci in his right leg.
The Brazilian was injured on 9 November 2024 in a match against Osasuna at the Bernabéu, on LaLiga matchday 13. Ten days later, he underwent surgery and, since then, began a long road to recovery that has ended with his return to the pitch. After several weeks of training with his teammates, Militão started the match on the bench and came on for Asencio in the 64th minute.