Step by step – Real Madrid not setting fixed return dates for their injured stars | OneFootball

Since the start of the 2025/26 season, Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso has had four players unavailable through injury.

Indeed, Jude Bellingham, Eduardo Camavinga, Ferland Mendy and Endrick have yet to make their debut this campaign under the new manager.

In fact, three of those players – Camavinga, Mendy, and Endrick, did not play any minutes at the FIFA Club World Cup either, although Camavinga did make the bench for the semi-finals against PSG.

No set return dates

Now, according to Mundo Deportivo, “Step by step” is the phrase used by Real Madrid when speaking about the four injured players, with the club opting not to set a fixed return date for them.

All four are working at Valdebebas to recover, and will continue to do so over the coming days, while their teammates not on international duty have been given rest until next Monday, when Real Madrid return to training.

Camavinga could return after the international break. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)

Of the four injured players, Camavinga could have a chance of making the squad for the match against Real Sociedad on Saturday, 13 September.

The Frenchman is in the final stages of recovering from the ankle sprain he suffered during pre-season. However, Real Madrid prefer to be cautious and are not committing to a date for his return.

The same applies to Mendy and Endrick, who are also in the final phase of their recovery. Bellingham, meanwhile, underwent shoulder surgery and is not expected back until October, although the Englishman hopes to return earlier.

At present, it remains uncertain whether Alonso will be able to recover any of them in time for the resumption of club competition on 13 September, when Real Madrid face Real Sociedad.

The Merengues are adhering to a ‘step by step’ approach and are not willing to commit to a fixed date.