Xabi Alonso eager to help Real Madrid midfielder return to full fitness in 2026 | OneFootball

As 2025 draws to a close, there are multiple Real Madrid players who will want to forget the year in which the club were not able to secure a single trophy.

One of them is Eduardo Camavinga, who has not only struggled with form but also a myriad of injuries that have halted his progress.

Eduardo Camavinga was able to make a brief, 18-minute reappearance in the year-closing victory against Sevilla. However, he is far from being 100%.

Xabi Alonso’s 2026 goal for Camavinga

According to AS, Xabi Alonso’s primary objective for early 2026 is to have Camavinga fully recovered, not just physically, but mentally as well.

The player, after all, has had to cope with a series of injuries that have significantly derailed his progress as a footballer.

Can Camavinga overcome his fitness woes? (Photo by Ion Alcoba Beitia/Getty Images)

The last two years, in fact, have been a nightmare for the youngster. Camavinga has missed a staggering 57 matches due to eight different injuries during this period.

To put this into perspective, in his three seasons at Rennes before joining Madrid, he missed only 13 games.

This constant stop-start cycle has taken a toll on his rhythm and morale, leading to frustration over a lack of continuity. In 2026, Alonso wants a new Camavinga.

The need for a healthy Camavinga is critical for the squad as well. He has played just 650 minutes this campaign, leaving the midfield rotation dangerously thin.

Aurelien Tchouameni (1,849 minutes) and Fede Valverde (1,834 minutes) have been pushed to their physical limits as the third and fourth most-used outfield players. Valverde even missed the Sevilla clash due to a foot knock.

Camavinga’s return, therefore, could go a long way in relieving some of the burden on these two midfielders, as Real Madrid brace themselves for a challenging start to 2026.