Arda Güler and Eder Militao are out for the rest of the LaLiga season after sustaining thigh muscle injuries during Real Madrid’s 2-1 win over Deportivo Alaves on Tuesday.
The club confirmed on Thursday that both players will miss the remainder of the campaign, with Güler substituted after 58 minutes and Militao forced off shortly before halftime. Medical examinations revealed separate issues in the left bicep femoris for each player, contradicting initial on-field assessments by coach Álvaro Arbeloa that suggested only minor discomfort.
Militao’s injury is particularly significant as it marks a recurrence of the same left-leg problem that sidelined him for months earlier this season. He had only returned to training in early April after a prolonged absence, making this latest setback a severe blow to his efforts to regain match fitness and consistency in the backline.
For Güler, the timing is equally unfortunate. The 21-year-old Turkish international had started the match against Alaves and showed signs of re-establishing himself in the starting XI after a strong performance in the Champions League quarter-final first leg against Bayern Munich, where his early goal briefly revived hopes of a comeback.
With nine points separating Real Madrid from leaders FC Barcelona and only six matches left, the title race is effectively over. The club’s season has already ended in disappointment, including Champions League elimination at the hands of Bayern and an early Copa del Rey exit to Segunda División side Albacete Balompié.
Despite the domestic campaign’s conclusion, concerns remain over the players’ availability for the upcoming FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Both Turkey and Brazil have qualified, and even as initial assessments suggest the four-week recovery timeline may allow participation, Marca reports that Militao’s World Cup spot “hangs in the balance” due to the recurrence of the left-leg injury.
Should Güler miss the tournament, it would be a significant blow to Turkey’s hopes in Group D, where he is considered one of the nation’s brightest prospects under head coach Vincenzo Montella. Brazil, meanwhile, faces Haiti, Morocco, and Scotland in Group C, with Militao’s fitness pivotal to defensive stability.
The last LaLiga matchday is scheduled for May 24, leaving little for Real Madrid to play for beyond pride and preparation for next season. For Güler and Militao, the focus now shifts to rehabilitation and proving their fitness to national team selectors in the weeks ahead.
How long are Güler and Militao expected to be out?
Both players are expected to miss at least four weeks due to thigh muscle injuries, which would rule them out for the remainder of the LaLiga season.
Could these injuries affect their World Cup participation?
While the four-week timeline suggests potential availability for the June-July World Cup, Marca reports that Militao’s participation is uncertain due to the recurrent nature of his left-leg injury, whereas Güler’s status remains less clear but similarly under evaluation.
