Real Madrid suffer major injury blow with key midfielder facing spell on sidelines

The France international had been in line to feature for Los Blancos in their UEFA Super Cup contest with Europa League winners Atalanta BC on Wednesday night.

However, the midfielder emerged as a major doubt for the contest when it became apparent that he had suffered a knee injury after colliding with teammate Aurelien Tchouameni during a training session.

Real Madrid have now confirmed the extent of the injury, and it is expected that he will be on the sidelines for the next six to seven weeks recovering from the problem.

"Following tests carried out today on our player Eduardo Camavinga, he has been diagnosed with a sprain of the internal collateral ligament in his left knee. Pending evolution," read a statement on Real Madrid's official website.

Real Madrid confirm knee injury for Camavinga

Real Madrid have not provided a timeframe for his recovery, but due to the nature of the damage, it is expected that he will be out for at least the next six weeks.

There had initially been concerns that Camavinga had damaged his ACL, which would have led to surgery and potentially his absence for the entire 2024-25 campaign.

The injury is not as serious as first feared, but it is still a major blow for Real Madrid, who remain without the services of David Alaba due to the knee injury which he suffered towards the end of last year.

Camavinga has been with Los Blancos since August 2021, making 145 appearances for the club in all competitions, scoring two goals and registering eight assists in the process.

What does the injury mean for Real Madrid?

The midfielder was a vital player for Real Madrid last season, making 46 appearances, and with Tchouameni potentially again needed as a centre-back, and Toni Kroos retiring, suddenly Los Blancos look a little short in the middle of midfield.

However, Jude Bellingham is expected to drop back into that area on a full-time basis this season, with Kylian Mbappe likely to play alongside Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo in a front three.

Six weeks would take Camavinga until September 25, meaning that he could potentially make his first appearance of the campaign in the Madrid derby with Atletico Madrid on September 28.

However, Real Madrid fans may have to wait until October for the Frenchman to feature this term, with a return against Villarreal on October 5 more likely.

The injury is not expected to force Los Blancos into the transfer market, with head coach Carlo Ancelotti recently insisting that the club's summer business had been completed.