More problems for Xabi - Alaba sidelined with new injury

Just when it seemed like he might finally catch a break, David Alaba has suffered a fresh setback. The Real Madrid defender has been ruled out of the remainder of the Club World Cup after suffering a tear to his left calf muscle — the same type of injury he endured two years ago in his right leg.

Alaba had been racing against the clock to return in time for the knockout stages. After undergoing meniscus surgery on April 30, he was initially expected to be sidelined for six to eight weeks. This past Wednesday marked the eight-week mark, and he had just returned to training with the squad, cautiously ramping up his workload. There was hope he might log a few minutes off the bench next week—not as a starter, but enough to contribute.

How long will Alaba be out?

That hope is now gone. Medical reports suggest he’ll be out for about four more weeks, which rules him out of the tournament entirely. Despite the setback, Alaba will remain with the team in the United States, a decision made jointly by the player, coaching staff, and club leadership.

With Alaba officially ruled out, coach Xabi Alonso faces a defensive puzzle heading into the knockout rounds.

Xabi will have to rely on a makeshift backline anchored by Antonio Rüdiger, Dean Huijsen, and Raúl Asencio—the only fully fit center backs currently available. There’s cautious optimism that Éder Militão could return to the bench for the upcoming clash against Juventus on Tuesday, but he’s not expected to start.

To shore up the squad, Alonso is also turning to academy talents Jacobo and Diego Aguado, while Aurélien Tchouaméni—Madrid’s ever-reliable utility man—remains the go-to emergency alternative option.

David Alaba’s injury history

This marks David Alaba’s third injury of the season, capping off a grueling stretch of setbacks for the Real Madrid defender. His long road back began on January 19, when he returned to action after a staggering 399-day layoff due to a torn ACL suffered in December 2023.

But just a month later, his comeback was derailed by a left adductor tear, sidelining him for another two weeks. After that, things finally seemed to stabilize—Alaba trained consistently for nearly two months, reintegrating with the squad and showing signs of a full recovery.

Then came the final blow: on April 29, shortly after the Copa del Rey final, he suffered a torn medial meniscus in his left knee, sending him straight to surgery. It was a crushing setback just as he was regaining rhythm and eyeing a return for the Club World Cup.

For Alaba, the 2024–25 season has been a brutal saga of setbacks, and the numbers tell the story: he’s played in just 14 matches and missed 13 due to injury.

Alaba in his final year at Real Madrid

The player’s future at Real Madrid is hanging by a thread, and the timing couldn’t be more delicate. The Austrian defender is reportedly earning close to $14 million net per season, yet has spent more time in the treatment room than on the pitch.

According to multiple reports, Real Madrid is open to listening to transfer offers this summer in an effort to offload his hefty salary and free up space in the squad. However, Alaba has made it clear that he intends to stay and see out the final year of his contract, which runs through 2026. The club has reportedly accepted his decision but has also made one thing clear: there will be no contract renewal.

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