Real Madrid superstar’s injury worse than expected, unlikely to return until 2025: Reports

Real Madrid defender David Alaba could be reportedly out of action for the rest of the year. The 32-year-old tore the ACL in his left knee and has been recovering since undergoing surgery in May.

Alaba was at UEFA Euro 2024 with the Austrian team but in a non-playing capacity. Ralf Rangnick's team lost 2-1 to Turkey in the Round of 16 after surprisingly finishing atop Group D, ahead of France and the Netherlands.

Madrid Xtra (via DiePressecom) has reported that Alaba had difficulty to walk up stairs at Euro 2024 and that he's unlikely to return to action before 2025.

It's pertinent to note that Alaba is the third Los Blancos player to sustain an ACL injury last season.

Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and centre-back Eder Militao suffered the same last off-season and only returned to action at the fag end of the 2023-24 campaign. Considering that timeline, Alaba could be out of most of the 2024-25 season, which would be a huge blow for Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti.

The Austrian international provided two assists in 17 games across competitions last season as Madrid won three titles, including their second La Liga-UEFA Champions League double in three years.

How many Real Madrid players are still involved at Euro 2024?

Real Madrid have seven players still involved at the ongoing Euro 2024 in Germany. They include four from France - Ferland Mendy, Eduardo Camavinga, Aurelien Tchouameni and the newly signed Kylian Mbappe.

The others are Spain's Dani Carvajal and Nacho, who's set to leave this summer. On-loan forward Joselu is also a part of the La Roja side but is set to leave the club, alongside Nacho.

The other Los Blancos player still involved in the competition is Jude Bellingham of England, who take on the Netherlands in the second semi-final in Dortmund on Wednesday (July 10). Meanwhile, Spain and France lock horns a day earlier in a blockbuster clash in Munich.