Madrid's First Team Star Suffers Injury, Long-Term Layoff Anticipated
Madrid's First Team Star Suffers Injury, Long-Term Layoff Anticipated
Real Madrid confirmed the injury of its first-team star Ferland Mendy through an official statement released on their website and social media on Sunday afternoon in Europe.
"Following the medical tests conducted on Ferland Mendy by the Real Madrid medical team today, he has been diagnosed with a muscle injury in his right quadriceps," the statement read.
While the statement concluded with the standard "pending evolution" phrase, without providing a specific recovery timeline, Spanish news outlet AS anticipates that Mendy could be out for up to three weeks. This suggests that he might miss the rest of the 2024 season at left back for Los Blancos.
Mendy sustained the injury after tripping awkwardly in the penalty area during a 3-0 victory over Girona on Saturday, which moved Madrid within two points of title contender FC Barcelona at the La Liga summit.
Following the match, head coach Carlo Ancelotti confirmed that Mendy's injury was the most severe out of both himself and Jude Bellingham, who was also substituted in the second half at Montilivi.
Ancelotti mentioned that Mendy would not be traveling to Bergamo for Madrid's crucial Champions League match against Atalanta on Tuesday.
Furthermore, Mendy is also expected to miss La Liga encounters with Rayo Vallecano and Sevilla on December 14 and 22 respectively, as well as the Intercontinental Cup final on the 19th, which could see Madrid face recent Copa Libertadores winner Botafogo if they progress to the final.
In the absence of Mendy, Fran Garcia is likely to receive more starting opportunities and potentially secure the left back position heading into 2025, while Madrid seems set to miss out on Alphonso Davies.
Regarding Bellingham, who has scored in his last five appearances and appears to be back in form, Ancelotti stated that the Englishman was withdrawn because "he was slightly fatigued" and preferred "not to take any risks in the closing stages".
Unnamed club sources confirmed to AS that Bellingham is in "good health" and is not at risk of missing the trip to Italy to face Serie A leaders Atalanta.
- With Ferland Mendy expected to be out for up to three weeks due to his injury, Real Madrid might need to rely on Fran Garcia at the left back position during their upcoming matches against Atalanta in the Champions League, Rayo Vallecano, and Sevilla in La Liga.
- Meanwhile, Jude Bellingham, who has been in excellent form and scored in his last five appearances for Madrid, was withdrawn in the second half against Girona due to fatigue, but he is reportedly in good health and is expected to join the team for the Champions League match against Atalanta.
- In the absence of Mendy, FC Barcelona might gain an advantage in the La Liga title race, but this opening could also enable Atalanta to put up a strong challenge against Real Madrid in their crucial Champions League match on Tuesday.
- Carlo Ancelotti, the head coach of Real Madrid, will have to manage his team's roster carefully, considering the crucial matches ahead, including the Champions League match against Atalanta, which features Atalanta's star player Jude Bellingham.