Injury Cloud Lifts at Real Madrid as Key Defenders Near Comeback

In the last two years, Real Madrid has had to deal with both competition and injuries. The team has been thin week after week. There were injuries again when the players came back. Fans have seen well-known players leave the team sheet. There is finally hope now. This week could be good for Álvaro Arbeloa, the new coach. Four very important players are almost back. If everything goes well, Real Madrid’s back line might finally be even.

A Hard Year for Real Madrid’s Defense

Injury problems have had a bigger impact on Real Madrid’s season than changes in strategy or new players. The defense has taken the most damage. Arbeloa has sometimes not had many choices. He has even used players who were not entirely healthy. Games have been more challenging than they should have been because of this. The team has still fought, but it has cost them a lot.

Things might change now. Reports say that several players are ready to train and play more minutes. The club will be careful. Past mistakes have shown that bringing players back makes things worse. The goal this time is a steady comeback.

Dani Carvajal is ready to move forward.

Dani Carvajal, a big right back, has had a strange season. He looks like he is been healthy for weeks. He has not really played much. He played for 13 minutes in Arbeloa’s first game as manager. After that, he only played for 14 more minutes in the last few minutes of a big Champions League win over Monaco.

The team now thinks Carvajal is ready to do more. This week, he is going to speed up his training. He knows his body well at 34. He also knows he needs to show himself again. When he came back, the team would have more knowledge and more peace in the back.

But he will not get anything for free. It is tough out there, and Arbeloa wants guys who are good to go.

A Fight for the Good Guys

It will not be easy for Carvajal to come back. He needs to get back in line. A good player named Fede Valverde has helped by filling in at right back when needed. Valverde can move back to midfield, where he is most dangerous, if Carvajal plays most of the time.

Trent Alexander-Arnold also wants to set a challenge. The England star has also had a tough season with injuries. His leg hurt him and kept him out for two months. He has not had a good run like Carvajal. They have only played together for 967 minutes this season.

Arbeloa has not yet put Alexander-Arnold in a game. That makes it even more critical for him to come back. He will want to appear good quickly. Being able to pass and cross gives the team something new. The right back spot could become one of the most competitive positions on the team if he stays healthy.

Antonio Rüdiger is almost ready to play again.

Antonio Rüdiger is also getting close to coming back in the middle of the defense. This season has been up and down for the German defense. He has played in only nine games, totaling 764 minutes. He has not been able to play because of knee and hamstring pain.

Rüdiger proved how tough he is early in the season. Illness did not stop him from playing in the Spanish Super Cup. He worked hard, which helped the team, but it took a toll on his body. It has been a while since we saw him on the field.

For him to come back, this weekend’s game against Valencia could be it. It would help to have him there even if he does not start. Rüdiger is strong and a good boss. It is good for younger players to play next to him. His return could help a defense that has looked shaky at times stay stable.

The Long Way Back for Ferland Mendy

Ferland Mendy might be the guy who is most upset right now. For months, he has been hurting himself. He was not around for six months and then came back in November. There was a lot of hope. Then the muscle pain came back.

Mendy only played 22 minutes in the first two games of 2026 for Real Madrid. He was not able to play again after that. He has missed the last month of games. There has been an accident at the end of every comeback.

The club is being extra careful with him right now. They know how much he is worth. Mendy is fast and strong on the left side when he is healthy. He also helps the team play defense better. It would give Arbeloa more choices if he could get him back, even if it were slowly.

What We Can Learn from Damaged Body Parts?

This season has taught Real Madrid some hard lessons. A lot of stars came back too soon. That caused more accidents and more extended absences. The plan is different this time. The doctors and teachers want to take things slowly with the players.

Initially, there will be a minimum number of minutes. You will slowly have to do more training. Long-term health is more important than short-term gains. Because so many key players are coming back at once, you need to be patient.

What Arbeloa Has to Do as New Coach?

Ivaro Arbeloa now has a tough job to do. He took over a team that was full of talented players but not very fit. He has had to use injured players at times. A good example is Raúl Asencio. There were not many other choices, so they had to play through pain.

We can now see some light for Arbeloa. If the team is healthier, you have more options. Higher standards are also part of it. People have to fight to get spots. The training sessions will be tougher. That is good for the team.

What does this mean for the Next Season?

Real Madrid’s season could change if all four players come back healthy. A strong defense makes people feel safe. The midfielders can focus on the attack. There is less stress on goalkeepers. Over time, small changes add up.

There are still dangers. Injuries can come back. Handling older players with care is essential. But things are getting better in the club. Fans are beginning to believe in it again.

Conclusion

Real Madrid may finally get lucky after months of bad luck. It will not be long before Dani Carvajal, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Antonio Rüdiger, and Ferland Mendy all come back. Everyone on the team brings something meaningful to the table. Together, they might be able to help get your power and balance back.

Arbeloa’s work is still not done. Care and waiting will make all the difference. Still, Real Madrid can look forward with hope instead of worry for the first time in a while.