Real Madrid is about to welcome a crucial trio – Dani Carvajal, Antonio Rüdeliger and éder Militão – while the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 starts.
The club not only signals their approaching returns through official updates. They also made them the faces of their brand new jersey campaign-a image-heavy move full of symbolism. These three warriors, set aside for a long time by injuries, are not only re -introduced as players, but as pillars of an experienced core in a team that becomes steadily younger.
It is a welcome turn in a season -hose story. During a large part of 2024/25, the frequent diagnosis of the schedule of Madrid was clear – “shortly for defenders”. That storyline can soon be history.
Will Militão, Carvajal and Rüdeliger play against Al Hilal?
The first training session of the team in Palm Beach on Sunday was a turning point: all three defenders participated and showed that they are almost ready for the game. They were not made available on Wednesday to play Hilal, but according to club sources: “They are very close – possibly ready for the end of the group phase.”
And this is not only wishful thinking. During Sunday's session in the Gardens North District Park, all three played a complete role in important exercises. Carvajal sprinted the flank and sent crosses. Rüdiger looked sharp in aerial fighting and showed no signs of instability in the knee that he had surgically repaired on April 27 – a procedure to tackle the meniscus problem that teased for a large part of his season.
Militão and Carvajal to return after long absence
Militão and Carvajal are now coming back from more serious ACL tears. Carvajal's injury, sustained on October 5, also influenced his lateral collateral ligament and popliteal tendon. Militão tore his ACL just over a month later, and both menisci were also affected.
Carvajal in particular had a long way back. When he returned to the fieldwork in February, his right leg had clearly lost the muscle mass. But the experienced fullback rebuilt itself through debilitating rehabilitation sessions in Valdebebas, the Madrid training complex. Slowly but surely he has his way back in shape.
Huijsen and Alexander-Arnold solves Real Madrid problem
Yet Madrid doesn't almost almost. No matter how important the club world is, the recent additions of Dean Huijsen and Trent Alexander-Arnold have deepened the defensive rotation, making carvajal, Militão and Rüdiger the breathing space to re-add the line-up to their own conditions. They are not here to be emergency solutions, they are long -term reinforcements, which have been set to gradually add as the tournament progresses.
Their experience and leadership, especially that of Carvajal and the always more fiery rüdeliger, is just as valuable outside the field as it is. Whether Madrid in the Knock -Rondes is confronted with a powerhouse such as Manchester City or just needs a quiet hand in the dressing room, these three are indispensable.
Carvajal in particular plays a unique role. Together with Luka Modrić, he is the only player who is still on the Roster who shared a throw with head coach Xabi Alonso during his match days. That connection makes him an essential bridge between the coaching staff and the current team, especially the group of 10 Academy players who brought Alonso to Florida.
So yes, it's almost time. The long wait is almost over. Between them, Carvajal, Militão and Rüdeliger have picked up a combined 529 days – 255 for the Spanish fullback, 222 for the Brazilian central defender and 52 for the German. But now the clock taps in the other direction.
As the classic rock band Europe once sang: “It's the last countdown”. And in Madrid that countdown is reason for celebration.