Europe’s worst: The shocking cost of injuries at Real Madrid

Real Madrid has suffered the highest injury-related costs among Europe’s top clubs over the past five years, spending an eye-popping €168.76 million ($197.65 million), according to a report by global insurance intermediary Howden. By comparison, Barcelona’s injury bill totaled about €122.99 million ($144.05 million) during the same period.

Over the past five seasons, Real Madrid, along with Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain, each faced injury costs exceeding $43 million ($50.36 million) in a single season.

Europe sees tens of thousands of injuries

Howden’s fifth annual European Football Injury Index examined injury trends over the last five years across the continent’s top five leagues, including the impact of club participation in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. During this period, European clubs reported a staggering 22,596 injuries.

Chelsea, fresh off their Club World Cup win, saw a 44 percent spike in injured players between June and October 2025 compared with the same period in 2024. PSG stood out as the only French men’s team to consistently exceed the injury average over the past five seasons, recording nearly 300 injuries in total.

In Italy’s Serie A, Juventus and AC Milan led the league in player injuries. Bundesliga clubs in Germany also registered the highest injury rates each season, yet the financial impact remained lower than in other leagues, averaging about €115.95 million ($135.8 million) per season.

Costs start to drop despite more injuries

While the number of injuries rose during the 2024-25 season across Europe’s top five leagues, the costs to clubs fell compared with the previous year, dropping by roughly €160.48 million ($187.96 million).

“The report highlights the growing physical demands on elite players,” said James Burrows, Howden’s sports director. “We’ve seen changes in both the number of injuries and the associated costs, reflecting current debates about better protecting players on the field. We hope this report serves as a valuable resource for players, clubs, and governing bodies, helping guide informed decisions about the future of the game.”

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