Kylian Mbappe and his Real Madrid teammates have returned to training after their run in the FIFA Club World Cup 2025, eager to begin head coach Xabi Alonso’s first full season in charge. But with less than two weeks before the start of the 2025-26 La Liga campaign, the squad has been dealt a significant setback as a $70 million star has gone down injured.
The 2024-25 season began with sky-high expectations following Mbappe’s arrival on a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain. While the team captured the UEFA Super Cup and the Intercontinental Cup in the first half of the season, they ultimately fell short in their biggest objectives like La Liga and the Champions League. Now, heading into the new season, another obstacle has emerged.
Midfielder Eduardo Camavinga suffered a right ankle sprain during training on Friday. Although no recovery timeline has been announced, he is expected to miss Tuesday’s final preseason friendly against Austrian side WSG Tirol, just days before the La Liga opener.
Real Madrid confirmed the news in an official statement. “After the tests carried out today on our player Eduardo Camavinga by the Real Madrid Medical Services, he has been diagnosed with a sprain in his right ankle. His progress will be monitored,” the statement read about the midfielder whose transfer price in Transfermarkt is €60 million (around $70M).
Camavinga appeared in 35 matches last season, scoring two goals and providing two assists. However, he struggled to lock down a consistent starting role, especially late in the year after suffering a complete rupture of the left adductor tendon in the 1-0 win over Getafe on April 23. With Real Madrid set to open their La Liga campaign at Osasuna on Tuesday, Aug. 19, his availability is in doubt.
Real Madrid facing limited midfield options
With Camavinga sidelined due to injury, and with Luka Modric now at AC Milan, Alonso’s midfield depth has taken a hit. Still, the new boss has experimented with different solutions to keep his squad competitive.
Federico Valverde, Aurelien Tchouameni, and Jude Bellingham have established themselves as starters, with Dani Ceballos offering another natural option off the bench during the Club World Cup. Arda Guler has also been tested in a more central role, a move Alonso has publicly praised. It remains to be seen whether new arrivals such as Trent Alexander-Arnold or Franco Mastantuono could step in to help fill the gap.