Eder Militao sidelined after suffering adductor setback with Brazil

Real Madrid expect Eder Militao to miss around two weeks after he suffered an adductor injury in his right leg while on international duty with Brazil.

The club confirmed the diagnosis on Wednesday following medical tests that identified a muscular problem in the adductor magnus.

Madrid said further updates would follow as the defender begins his recovery programme.

Militao picked up the injury during Brazil’s 1-1 draw with Tunisia on Tuesday, pulling up on the halfway line while receiving a pass early in the second half.

The setback is expected to rule him out of La Liga matches against Elche, Girona and Athletic Club, as well as Madrid’s Champions League match against Olympiacos.

The defender’s return to regular action had been a significant boost for manager Xabi Alonso after a turbulent spell marked by repeated long-term injuries.

Militao has endured a challenging fitness record since joining Madrid from Porto in 2019, suffering two anterior cruciate ligament tears in the space of 15 months.

He sustained an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in his left knee in August 2023. Militao returned in March 2024, but tore the ACL in his right knee in November.

He recovered in time to start the current season and was recalled to the Brazil squad in October under Carlo Ancelotti.

The call-up marked Militao’s first involvement with Brazil in more than a year and signalled the defender’s steady progress back to full fitness.

His setback arrives at the end of an international break that has already been disruptive for Madrid, with several senior players withdrawing from national duty due to injury.

Madrid expect Eduardo Camavinga to be available for Sunday’s trip to Elche. However, Antonio Rudiger, Aurelien Tchouameni, Dani Carvajal and Franco Mastantuono remain unavailable.