Real Madrid defensive ace targeting a starting spot after lengthy injury-enforced absence | OneFootball

Real Madrid defender Eder Militao has endured a difficult past couple of years having missed a large chunk of the action due to two separate ACL injuries.

The Brazilian international sat out of a large part of the 2023/24 season due to the cruciate ligament rupture and suffered the same injury on his other knee a few months into the 2024/25 campaign.

Now, though, having worked incredibly hard on his recovery, Militao is close to making a return and is expected to be in the squad for the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup clash against Juventus.

Militao in top shape, wants a starting berth

As such, MARCA (h/t Madrid Xtra) reports that Militao has returned to training in top shape and is eager to get minutes in the FIFA Club World Cup.

The Brazilian centre-back has his eyes set on reclaiming his starting spot in the lineup.

Set to return soon. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

During his absence, Raul Asencio and Antonio Rudiger established themselves as the preferred centre-back pairing at Real Madrid.

Dean Huijsen has now become a guaranteed starter since his arrival in the summer, leaving Rudiger and Asencio jousting for the other spot.

Now, Militao, too, is ready to battle for a starting berth, although he will first need to get some minutes under his belt and build his rhythm back after months out of action.

If manager Xabi Alonso opts to go in with a three-man defensive line on a regular basis, it will create an opening for Militao, especially considering Asencio has not had the best of starts to the Club World Cup.

For now, though, the Brazilian must focus on getting into his groove again after spending most of the season out on the treatment tables.