After 12 months out, Real Madrid defender David Alaba is close to returning from his long-term knee injury. News that will be welcomed by coach Carlo Ancelotti, Real Madrid could strengthen their fragile defense with the return of the 32-year-old.

The Austrian central defender tore his anterior cruciate ligament against Villarreal on December 17, 2023. 12 months later, he is yet to play for the club although he was officially named on the bench as an unused substitute for the UEFA Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund in June.

Speaking at his press conference ahead of Real Madrid’s final La Liga match of 2024 against Sevilla, manager Carlo Ancelotti explained: “Alaba also does training. I think he will return to the group on the 30th and that he will be available perhaps around mid-January.”

David Alaba has been absent for over a year

More than 12 months have passed since Alaba went down, waving his arm in the air for help, against Villarreal in December 2023. He was carried off the field and a torn anterior cruciate ligament was diagnosed almost immediately, with Carlo Ancelotti confirming the injury. during his post-match press conference, saying: “it’s a shame, we are very sad”.

Alaba had started 13 of 17 La Liga matches in the 2023/24 campaign before the injury struck and significantly disrupted a season which had been going well for him after securing his first choice place in defence.

This injury also forced him to miss Euro 2024, where Austria lost in the round of 16 against Turkey. The tournament was seen as the last hurray of his international career with Austria after 105 caps for his country, and although Alaba traveled to Germany to join his teammates, he was forced to watch from the stands.

Éder Militão and Dani Carvajal remain absent

Coach Carlo Ancelotti has seen his defensive options significantly limited this season. Alaba’s absence was further compounded by injuries to Dani Carvajal and Éder Militão during the season, both joining Alaba due to anterior cruciate ligament injuries.

Carvajal was the first to suffer the injury when he overextended his knee during injury time against Villarreal on October 5. Scheduled to turn 33 in January, Carvajal’s contract has since been extended until 2026 as a sign of faith, but he is unlikely to return to the field in the 2024/25 season.

Militão followed shortly after after injuring his knee against Osasuna on 9 November. The defender only recovered from the same injury to his other knee earlier this year, sparking serious concerns within the club over long-term stability issues which could impact the player’s prospects. Militão career.

These injuries left Ancelotti with Antonio Rüdiger as the only first-team central defender fit and available. Aurélien Tchouameni and Ferland Mendy both came on as substitutes at times, with youngster Raúl Asencio also making his first-team debut and a regular feature in the team.