Real Madrid midfield prodigy out for six to eight weeks with knee injury | OneFootball

In a bitter blow, Real Madrid starlet Thiago Pitarch has been ruled out for between six and eight weeks after suffering a knee injury during training, reports AS.

The midfielder damaged the medial collateral ligament in his left knee following an awkward movement during one of his first training sessions back with the squad earlier this week.

He immediately went to ground in pain, and subsequent medical examinations confirmed the diagnosis.

Although the injury is not considered serious, it is significant enough to rule him out for the remainder of pre-season and the opening weeks of the new La Liga campaign.

Out until at least September

The ligament injury has been classified as a moderate-grade sprain, with an expected recovery period of six to eight weeks.

Out injured. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

The injury will keep Thiago out for the entirety of Real Madrid’s pre-season programme, including matches against Leganes, Fiorentina, Ferencvaros and Deportivo La Coruna.

He is also expected to miss at least the opening three La Liga fixtures against Espanyol, Real Sociedad and Malaga.

The midfielder shared an image on social media showing the substantial protective brace now supporting his left knee, which he will wear during the early stages of his rehabilitation.

Injury complicates Thiago’s future

The setback also casts uncertainty over Thiago’s future during the current transfer window.

Real Madrid have been assessing the situations of several young players, including Raul Asencio and Gonzalo Garcia, who are expected to leave on loan in search of regular playing time.

Thiago’s case had been progressing more slowly due to his schedule. Having completed the UEFA European Under-19 Championship on 11 July, he only rejoined training last week.

As such, Jose Mourinho had not yet had the opportunity to assess him as extensively as the rest of the squad.

Decision to be made without pre-season assessment

Will Thiago stay or be loaned out? (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)

The injury means any decision regarding his future will now have to be taken without the benefit of a full pre-season evaluation.

If Thiago leaves this summer, he would do so while still recovering, making a permanent transfer more difficult. Real Madrid would, in any case, seek to retain an option to re-sign him in the future.

A loan move is viewed as the more realistic outcome. Málaga have already made enquiries, although the player would reportedly prefer a club competing in the UEFA Champions League.

Even so, no decision has been made, and his departure from Valdebebas remains far from certain.

Breaking into the first team would have been a difficult task for Thiago regardless of the injury.

Real Madrid currently have Aurelien Tchouameni, Federico Valverde, Jude Bellingham, Bernardo Silva, Arda Guler and Eduardo Camavinga competing for places in midfield, leaving little room for an 18-year-old looking for consistent playing time.

Regular minutes remain the priority for Thiago’s development.