Dani Ceballos injury opens door for Thiago Pitarch at Real Madrid

The club confirmed the problem following medical tests, and Ceballos is expected to be sidelined for around seven weeks. That timeline would keep him out until late April, dealing a significant blow just as he had begun to feature more regularly in the rotation.

Ceballos had offered energy and control in midfield in recent weeks, providing valuable depth during a demanding run of domestic and European fixtures. His absence now leaves Madrid stretched in the centre of the park.

The situation is further complicated by the ongoing recovery of Jude Bellingham, who is not expected to return until April. With two midfield options unavailable, head coach Alvaro Arbeloa faces a testing period as the season enters a decisive phase.

Yet adversity often creates opportunity at the Bernabeu.

The latest setback could open the door for highly rated academy talent Thiago Pitarch. The Castilla midfielder recently made his senior debut and caught the eye with a composed and confident display. He looked comfortable in possession, showed maturity beyond his years, and did not shy away from the physical demands of top-level football.

With Bellingham and Ceballos both unavailable, Pitarch now has a genuine chance to earn more minutes with the first team.

Arbeloa has already demonstrated a willingness to trust young players when required. Should he continue with a midfield built around Eduardo Camavinga, Aurelien Tchouameni, Arda Guler and Federico Valverde, there is room for fresh legs and added depth.

For Pitarch, this could be the moment every academy graduate waits for - a chance to turn a crisis into a breakthrough.