Real Madrid have suffered a significant setback at a decisive stage of the season after Arda Güler and Éder Militão were ruled out for the remainder of the campaign with hamstring injuries, the club confirmed on Thursday.
Both players are expected to be sidelined for around four weeks, a timeline that should allow them to recover ahead of the upcoming FIFA World Cup, which begins in less than 50 days. However, their injuries further underline the growing physical toll on elite players across Europe, with a rising number of high-profile names already set to miss the tournament through injury.
Güler’s setback occurred during Real Madrid’s final training session ahead of Friday’s league meeting with Real Betis. The 19-year-old midfielder experienced muscle discomfort, was restricted to gym work, and later underwent tests that confirmed a hamstring injury in his right leg. While the injury is not considered long-term, it prematurely ends a season that has been disrupted by fitness issues for the Turkish international.
Militão’s injury, by contrast, unfolded in match action. The Brazilian centre-back pulled up during a defensive challenge shortly before half-time in Tuesday’s 2-1 win over Deportivo Alavés, immediately signalling to the bench that he could not continue. Initial optimism from coach Álvaro Arbeloa was later tempered after an MRI scan revealed a hamstring injury in Militão’s left leg.
The diagnosis represents yet another blow for the defender, who has endured a difficult run of injuries in recent seasons, including anterior cruciate ligament tears in consecutive years. His repeated absences have raised concerns both at club level and within the Brazilian national team setup as the World Cup approaches.
Real Madrid’s injury woes mirror a broader trend across Europe, where congested calendars and high physical demands have contributed to a growing list of elite players expected to miss the World Cup entirely.
Hamstring problems for teenage sensations Lamine Yamal and Willian Estêvão in recent weeks have put their World Cup participation (for Spain and Brazil respectively) in doubt, while Germany forward Serge Gnabry has been ruled out of the tournament after sustaining a similar injury in training for Bayern Munich.
On the domestic front, Madrid’s focus now shifts to damage limitation. With six league matches remaining, LaLiga leaders FC Barcelona sit top on 82 points, nine clear of Real Madrid on 73. The title race could be settled in the upcoming Clásico at Camp Nou on May 10, where Barcelona would seal the championship with victory.
For Madrid, already grappling with key absences, the challenge is now twofold: to remain competitive in the closing weeks of the season while ensuring their injured stars return in time for football’s biggest stage.
