Tests carried out on the full-back revealed the worst-case scenario: a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament, external collateral ligament, and popliteus tendon. He is expected to be sidelined for eight to ten months.
Carvajal faces a devastating diagnosis that will keep him out for eight to ten months. The Real Madrid full-back has been diagnosed with a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee, as well as additional injuries, including a torn external collateral ligament and damage to the popliteus tendon. The situation is worse than initially expected, effectively ending his season.
Although Carvajal himself had already announced the ACL tear early in the morning, further tests revealed more extensive damage. The surgical procedure, however, will have to be postponed for at least five days to allow the swelling in the affected areas to subside. While the other two injuries are less severe, the length of Carvajal’s absence will be primarily determined by the ACL recovery, and there are no shortcuts in such processes. His absence will be a significant blow for Real Madrid.
This injury also delivers a heavy blow to Luis de la Fuente, who had called up Carvajal for Spain’s upcoming matches against Denmark and Serbia. The incident occurred toward the end of Real Madrid’s match against Villarreal. In a challenge with Yeremy Pino, Carvajal planted his right leg, which took a hit at knee level, leading to an unnatural upward extension. The distressing moment was clear from both the visible injury and Carvajal’s tears.
Carvajal later confirmed the serious injury via social media, stating: “A serious injury to the cruciate ligament has been confirmed. I will have to undergo surgery and be off the pitch for a few months. I’m already looking forward to starting my recovery and coming back stronger than ever. Thank you all for your messages, I feel very loved.”
The locker room fell into a stunned silence when they heard the cries of one of their captains. The tension escalated when Carvajal tried to put weight on his leg and failed. The entire team urgently called for medical assistance. After the game, most players downplayed the importance of the match itself. “What matters is Carva’s health,” said Valverde, echoing the shared sentiment. Ancelotti followed suit in a press conference that focused almost entirely on the player’s condition.
For the coach, it’s not just losing a right-back, but losing a key piece of the team’s backbone, someone central both tactically and emotionally. From a sporting perspective, Carvajal is even viewed as a potential Ballon d’Or candidate. Beyond that, though, his value is irreplaceable, a sentiment deeply felt by everyone within the squad.
What will be the solution for its replacement?
Once the initial shock of Carvajal’s serious injury subsided, one name came to everyone’s mind: Lucas Vázquez. The Galician winger, who was converted into a full-back by Zidane, has become the natural replacement for the Madrid academy player in recent years. For now, the position is well-covered, but Ancelotti faces yet another setback in a defense that has taken most of the hits from the series of injuries plaguing Real Madrid this season.
The transfer market is now closed until January, meaning Real Madrid can no longer make use of the rule that allowed clubs to sign LaLiga players in the case of a long-term injury, even after the transfer window had closed. This exception was repealed in 2020, following the controversial signing of Braithwaite by Barcelona after Dembélé’s injury. As a result, Madrid’s only option over the next three months is to target players who are currently free agents, much like Barça did recently with Szczesny. This presents a significant limitation.
CREDITS:
Director: Alejandro Bernal
Text : Max Hackenbroich
