David Alaba Faces Another Month Out After Muscle Injury Setback

Real Madrid defender David Alaba will be sidelined for at least another month after suffering a muscle injury in his left leg, dealing a fresh blow to the Spanish giants ahead of crucial fixtures.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Medical tests have confirmed that Alaba has sustained an injury to the soleus muscle of his left leg. This comes just as the Austrian international was nearing a return from a previous torn meniscus suffered at the end of last season. Alaba, who is currently with the squad in the United States, picked up this latest injury during training and will now embark on a new recovery program.

He will miss the remainder of the Club World Cup, including Real Madrid’s round of 16 clash against Juventus in Miami and any further progress in the competition, as well as pre-season training before La Liga resumes in August. The club is yet to announce an exact return date, but his absence is expected to last until at least early August.

WHY THIS INJURY MATTERS

This new setback worsens Real Madrid’s ongoing fitness challenges in defence. Alaba’s leadership and experience are vital, especially after a previous year affected by more than 30 injuries among the squad. His absence leaves a notable gap at the back as Real Madrid navigate a busy summer, which includes defending their title at the expanded Club World Cup in the United States.

According to a previous report we published, Alaba had hoped to regain form and rhythm before the new La Liga season, where Los Blancos will aim to build on last season’s successes and defend their domestic crown.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

Alaba will focus on rehabilitation over the next month with medical staff closely monitoring his progress. Real Madrid will have to adjust their defensive plans for the start of the new season and the closing stages of the Club World Cup. With the team set to face Juventus in the round of 16, and the quarter-final scheduled for July 5, manager Xabi Alonso will rely on other options in defence.

Alaba’s expected absence until August puts his participation in early La Liga fixtures in doubt, intensifying the club’s search for squad depth at centre-back as the new campaign approaches.