Ferland Mendy returns to training after a long time out with injury! | OneFootball

The Frenchman seems to be back in shape.

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A familiar face has finally returned to the training grounds of Valdebebas, offering a glimmer of hope for Real Madrid's defensive line. After a grueling absence of over five months, French defender Ferland Mendy is back in team training, marking the end of a challenging period that began with a devastating thigh injury in the Copa del Rey final against Barcelona.

That fateful night, which ended in a painful 2-3 extra-time defeat, sidelined Mendy for what felt like an eternity. Apart from a brief, fleeting 11-minute appearance, his season was effectively ended, culminating in surgery. His prolonged absence could not have come at a more critical time, coinciding with a defensive crisis that has tested the depth of Xabi Alonso's squad.

While the emergence of Álvaro Carreras has provided a new option, the return of the experienced Mendy is viewed as a pivotal development within the club. The coaching staff, however, is treading carefully. There is a conscious and deliberate plan to avoid any setbacks, with a carefully managed, gradual reintegration process being designed to ease the Frenchman back into the fold without risking a recurrence.

For the Real Madrid hierarchy, Mendy’s comeback is more than just a personal triumph; it's a strategic boost. They are confident that his return will solidify the team's left defensive flank just as they enter the most decisive phase of the campaign, where every match in La Liga and the Champions League carries immense weight.