Dani Ceballos, Real Madrid's key midfielder, has been dealt a blow with the news of his muscle injury, which will sideline him for the next two months. The Sevilla-born footballer sustained the injury during the dying minutes of the Copa del Rey match against Real Sociedad, where he collided with Takefusa Kubo, resulting in damage to his semimembranosus muscle and tendon of his left leg.
"I am very sad not to be able to help my team during this significant part of the season. And I’m very sad to have to stop at what I felt was my best moment," said Ceballos, reflecting on his abrupt set-back. His unfortunate timing is especially poignant as he had become indispensable for Real Madrid, performing strongly and establishing himself as a starter under coach Carlo Ancelotti.
The news of Ceballos’ injury is not only disappointing for him but also for the club, who now faces the challenge of filling the void left by the 28-year-old midfielder. Ceballos enjoyed one of his best seasons, having played significant minutes across multiple matches, and was even considered for the upcoming selection for the Spanish national team.
The official statement from Real Madrid confirmed, "After tests conducted today on our player Dani Ceballos by the medical services of Real Madrid, he has been diagnosed with an injury to the semimembranosus muscle affecting the tendon of the left leg." With such injuries, recovery typically takes about two months, which translates to missing several important fixtures including eight league games, potentially key Champions League matches, and the return leg of the Copa del Rey against Real Sociedad.
Players like Luka Modric, Eduardo Camavinga, and Fede Valverde are being considered to cover for Ceballos during his absence. The team has had to deal with multiple injuries this season, and Ceballos’ absence means Ancelotti will need to reconfigure his midfield strategy urgently.
During his time on the pitch this season, Ceballos had participated in at least 29 matches, with many of them as a starter. Ancelotti's tactics had gradually evolved to rely on Ceballos' skillful passing and ball recovery abilities, making his absence even more significant.
Real Madrid's upcoming fixtures include matches against Betis, Atlético Madrid, and various league encounters. The absence of Ceballos will be felt deeply as the team enters this demanding stage of the campaign. Coaches and fans alike will be eagerly awaiting updates on his recovery timeline, hoping to see him return to action and regain his form.
While the club will have to adapt to Ceballos’ temporary absence, his statements indicate he is mentally prepared to face this adversity. His performance during this season reflected significant improvement and development as a player, sparking hope for a bright future once he recovers fully.