Eduardo Camavinga's injury woe delays Xabi Alonso's Real Madrid plans

The French midfielder's recovery timeline remains uncertain, with the club stating he is "pending further evaluation" to determine his availability in the coming weeks.

Camavinga has yet to make his competitive debut under manager Xabi Alonso. During the recent FIFA Club World Cup, he was an unused substitute in Real Madrid's clash against Paris Saint-Germain.

Fans hoping to see the 22-year-old in action will have to wait longer, as the injury is expected to sideline him for at least 10 days. This rules him out of Real Madrid's La Liga opener against Osasuna on 19 August and their upcoming friendly against WSG Tirol in Austria on Tuesday.

The 2024-25 season was already a challenging one for Camavinga, who missed 35 matches for club and country due to a series of injuries, primarily muscular issues. With Luka Modric's departure offering a chance to cement a starting role in midfield, this latest setback has forced Camavinga back to square one.

"It's a tough blow, but Eduardo is strong and will come back better," Alonso said in a press conference, addressing the player's resilience.

This marks Camavinga's fifth injury in under a year, a concerning trend for the talented midfielder. Real Madrid will need to adjust their plans for the La Liga debut without one of their key midfielders.

However, there is optimism that Camavinga could return for their second league match against Real Oviedo on 24 August.

A recent post from Real Madrid's official X account confirmed the injury, stating: "Following tests, Eduardo Camavinga has been diagnosed with a sprained right ankle. His recovery will be monitored."

Camavinga also posted on X, saying, "Frustrating moment, but I'll work hard to be back soon. Thanks for the support!"