Real Madrid head into Sunday evening’s La Liga matchday three fixture against Málaga at the Santiago Bernabéu with a depleted squad, following confirmed absences for seven players due to injury and lack of match fitness—forcing manager José Mourinho to make fresh structural adjustments.
The list of absentees includes Éder Militão, Ferland Mendy, Raúl Asencio, Aurélien Tchouaméni, Thiago Pitarch, Rodrygo, and Endrick. This comes after Real Madrid opened their domestic campaign with consecutive victories over Espanyol (2–1) and Real Sociedad (4–1), seeking a third straight win.
Tchouaméni’s situation remains the most notable, as the French midfielder has suffered from muscular issues and thigh fatigue dating back to his participation in the World Cup, preventing him from resuming full group training on a regular basis. Although the player is eager to return, Mourinho emphasized the necessity of achieving full fitness to avoid a relapse. Consequently, no firm return date has been scheduled, with the club targeting his recovery after the international break, while his availability against Real Betis or in the Champions League opener remains unconfirmed.
Militão continues his rehabilitation following surgery on a biceps femoris tendon injury in his left leg, having progressed to individual running and ball work on the grass. The Brazilian defender aims to return between late September and early October, though no official date has been designated. Meanwhile, Mendy is recovering from a rectus femoris tendon tear in his right leg and subsequent surgery, with his return not expected before the end of 2026.
Asencio is sidelined with a muscular injury to his right rectus femoris, with a return to group training expected during the first half of September if his rehabilitation progresses as planned. Meanwhile, Thiago Pitarch suffered a moderate sprain to the medial collateral ligament in his left knee, carrying an estimated recovery window of 6 to 8 weeks, making mid-September the earliest timeline for his return.
Rodrygo faces the longest spell on the sidelines after sustaining an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear and lateral meniscus damage in his right knee, undergoing surgery following the injury in March. Medical estimates indicate the Brazilian winger requires at least ten months of recovery, setting his expected return for January 2027.
Endrick is dealing with minor tendinitis and muscular discomfort that prompted the medical staff to exercise caution, despite recent progress as he returned to physical conditioning and ball drills on the pitch. Mourinho confirmed that the Brazilian forward is the closest among the injured players to returning to action, with potential appearances against Real Betis on September 4 or in Real Madrid’s opening Champions League fixture.
