Real Madrid have had a terrible time with injuries so far in 2023/24 and that has only been made worse by Eduardo Camavinga picking up a problem away with France during the November international break.
The midfielder has been forced to withdraw from the Bleus squad after suffering a blow in training, with the early signs indicating he faces months on the sidelines.
Camavinga is a player manager Carlo Ancelotti does not want to be without, considering his versatility and willingness to play wherever he is asked. It also comes less than two weeks after he signed a new contract at the Bernabeu.
Here’s all we know so far about Camavinga’s injury and what it means to Madrid and France.
Camavinga has been a very important player for Madrid so far this season, starting 13 of their 17 games. Only two of these starts have been at left-back, showing Ancelotti does now view the Frenchman as one of his best midfielders.
After bowing out of France’s training session, Camavinga went for scans with the team doctor. The French Football Federation (FFF) later revealed he had suffered a sprain to his right knee and has since returned to Madrid. After an MRI scan at Valdebebas, it was later reported by Madrid he had ruptured a knee ligament, which is more serious.
A statement read: “After the tests carried out today on our player Eduardo Camavinga by the Real Madrid Medical Services, he has been diagnosed with a rupture of the external lateral ligament in his right knee.”
Local reports suggested he could be out for over a month, which would mean missing the final two Champions League group stage games – Madrid are already through – and La Liga clashes with Cadiz, Granada, Real Betis, Villarreal and Alaves.
Eight to ten weeks seems to be the most likely timeframe which would mean a return to first-team training and games in 2024.
Madrid are in the midst of a major injury crisis right now, with a number of players who would normally start the biggest games currently on the treatment table.
Nine players, almost all of whom can make a case to be regular starters, are out injured. Some are more minor than others, with Jude Bellingham and Arda Guler both expected back very soon. Kepa Arrizabalaga should also return to full fitness imminently to avoid an emergency in goal.
Elsewhere, though, Thibaut Courtois, Eder Militao, Aurelien Tchouameni, Camavinga, Vinicius Junior and Dani Ceballos are sidelined. At least five of those players would be in Madrid’s best starting XI with an injury-free squad.
Tchouameni and Camavinga’s absences will allow Toni Kroos and Luka Modric a lot more game time, which the veterans have been calling for all season long.
The situation might not get any worse, though, because Madrid recently sacked chief medical officer Niko Mihic, primarily due to the handling of Guler’s recovery from injury.
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