Real Madrid’s Ceballos and Mendy Injured on Same Day

In a challenging turn of events for Real Madrid, two first-team players who featured prominently in Sunday’s 2-0 victory over Real Betis have been confirmed injured. The news, which broke on Monday, marks a difficult setback for the squad as they approach a crucial period in their season.

Midfielder Dani Ceballos, who had been handed a rare start by head coach Carlo Ancelotti for the match against his former club, Betis, sustained a significant injury during the game. The club revealed through an official statement that Ceballos has been diagnosed with a grade III sprain affecting the ligaments in his right ankle. The injury occurred shortly after the start of the second half, and Ceballos was substituted in the 65th minute. Despite the absence of a specific recovery timeline from the club, MARCA reports that Ceballos, who had been stepping in for the injured Jude Bellingham, could be out of action for up to two months.

The injury to Ceballos is particularly concerning given that it occurred while he was marking his 150th appearance for Los Blancos. His absence will be a significant blow to Real Madrid’s midfield, where his recent performances had shown promise.

Adding to the club’s woes, left-back Ferland Mendy also suffered an injury during the latter stages of the match against Betis. Mendy, who was substituted for Fran Garcia in the 65th minute, has been confirmed injured by the French Football Federation (FFF). The FFF reported that Mendy is dealing with pain in his right shin. As a result, he will be replaced by Lucas Digne in the French squad for their upcoming Nations League fixtures against Italy and Belgium.

The FFF’s announcement highlighted that Mendy would remain under the care of his club, as discussions between the Real Madrid medical staff and the French team’s medical personnel determined that Mendy would continue his treatment at Madrid’s facilities. An official statement from Real Madrid regarding Mendy’s injury is expected to be delayed, as the club prefers to conduct its own medical assessments before making any public declarations.

Head coach Carlo Ancelotti expressed his frustration with the timing of the international break, which he believes poses a risk of injuries to key players. During the post-match press conference following the win over Betis, Ancelotti voiced his concerns, stating that international breaks are “never good” as they often result in players returning with injuries. The Italian coach lamented the risk of injuries, hoping that all affected players would return to their clubs in good health.

The injury concerns come at a crucial time for Real Madrid, as they navigate a demanding schedule and seek to maintain their competitive edge in both domestic and European competitions. With both Ceballos and Mendy sidelined, Ancelotti will need to adjust his lineup and tactics to cover for their absences. The depth of the squad will be tested as the team looks to continue their strong form in La Liga and other competitions.

As the club awaits further updates on the extent of the injuries and recovery timelines, fans and analysts alike will be closely monitoring how Real Madrid adapts to these setbacks. The challenge of integrating new or less experienced players into the first team will be a significant aspect of the coming weeks, as the squad aims to remain resilient in the face of adversity.

In summary, Real Madrid faces a challenging period with two key players, Dani Ceballos and Ferland Mendy, confirmed injured on the same day. While Ceballos is expected to be sidelined for up to two months with a severe ankle sprain, Mendy’s injury, though concerning, appears to be less severe. The timing of these injuries, coinciding with the international break, adds to the difficulties faced by head coach Carlo Ancelotti as he prepares to manage his squad through this testing phase.