Real Madrid’s injured stars accelerate recovery ahead of FIFA Club World Cup | OneFootball

Real Madrid travel to Miami today for the FIFA Club World Cup with new manager Xabi Alonso naming a 34-man squad.

Included in the travelling party are ten academy players, as well as all the injured members of the first team – Eder Militao, Antonio Rudiger, Dani Carvajal, David Alaba, Ferland Mendy, Endrick, and Eduardo Camavinga.

While not all of them are expected to be fit in time for the tournament, some are in strong contention to play an important role under Xabi Alonso.

Four players back in training

Indeed, according to MARCA, four players returning from injury – Militao, Rudiger, Carvajal, and Alaba completed part of today’s training session with the rest of the squad.

Rudiger was the latest of the quartet to get injured and had to undergo surgery in April. Having spent close to two months out, the German defender is back in training as he took part in ball work alongside his teammates and is expected to be the first to return to full match fitness.

Carvajal and Militao are back in training. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)

As for Militao, who was Ancelotti’s first-choice central defender, his challenge is more complicated. He is returning from a long-term injury after rupturing his cruciate ligament last November in a league match against Athletic Club.

His expected return at the Club World Cup comes eight months after that incident. While he has begun working with the team, it is likely that Alonso will not rush him back into action.

Carvajal and Alaba also split their training between group sessions and individual work. The former, like Militao, is recovering from an ACL injury sustained in October and the club is not taking any risks with his recovery.

With the arrival of Trent Alexander-Arnold, there is less urgency for Carvajal to rush his return. Alaba, on the other hand, underwent knee surgery on 30 April and could also make his comeback during the Club World Cup.