Real Madrid defender Eder Militao is expected to be fit for the inaugural Club World Cup set to take place in June, according to a report from AS.
Real Madrid have been missing Militao in defense ever since he got another terrible ACL injury against Osasuna in October 2024. It immediately looked like a bad injury, and after tests, Real Madrid denounced that this was another ACL injury, this time on the other leg.
Raul Asencio has been promoted to Real Madrid's first team since, and he has shown how good he is in Militao's absence, solidifying a spot in their starting lineup and basically saving the defense from being an even bigger version of a car crash than it already is.
Real Madrid have since lost three defenders. Antonio Rudiger wants to return for the Club World Cup, but it is not confirmed. It is the same for David Alaba, while Ferland Mendy will only be able to return after the Club World Cup.
Eder Militao returning is good news, but Real Madrid must not rush him
The club managed his first ACL injury very well. They did not let him on the starting lineup until he had 100% recovered from his injury, which was at the start of the season. Militao looked like the Militao of old, so to speak, and it was only because the club was patient with him.
That is what they should do now as well. In fact, that is what they need to do even better than they did last time. A second ACL injury, even though it is on the other knee, shows that it needs to be treaded lightly. Real Madrid do not want to aggravate the injury, so it makes sense for them to take their time.
And, the thing is, the Club World Cup does not even seem crucial. Real Madrid obviously want to win it, but it is not enough to risk a player's well-being. I'd rather Militao keep working on his recovery until the start of next season.
Real Madrid know that a healthy Militao elevates the level of this defense, and if that were to happen, they would need to be more than just careful.