Teresa Abelleira, the Spanish national women's football team midfielder and Real Madrid star, faces a challenging road after suffering significant injuries to her left knee during training. On February 26, 2025, Abelleira ruptured her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and damaged her meniscus. This news came shortly before Spain’s match against England, leaving fans and teammates stunned.
Reports indicate Abelleira arrived at Wembley Stadium on crutches with her knee heavily bandaged, raising immediate concerns about her health. The Spanish Football Federation had not disclosed prior details of her injury, making her sudden absence from the lineup alarming. "After the tests carried out on our player Teresa Abelleira by the Medical Services of Real Madrid, she has been diagnosed with a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament and the external meniscus of her left knee. Our player will undergo surgery in the coming days," confirmed the club.
This injury is particularly devastating for both Abelleira’s club and country. Just shy of 26 years old, the Galician midfielder has been instrumental to the success of the team, successfully transitioning from the World Cup to this intense international competition. Her performance during the 2023 World Cup showcased her skills, as she contributed significantly by completing around 102 passes per match during the tournament.
Under the current national team coach, Montse Tomé, Abelleira had become one of the central figures within both the midfield and the team’s strategic framework. After demonstrating her precision and tactical awareness, Abelleira's role as both facilitator and playmaker has been irreplaceable. Just days prior, during Spain's match against Belgium, she excelled, nearly scoring from a corner kick and displaying her ability to execute set pieces.
The absence of Abelleira, following her injury, poses challenges for Tomé as she prepares for the Eurocopa 2025 to be held in Switzerland from July 2 to July 27. The federation's current squad, returning as the reigning World Cup champions, will now have to recalibrate their game plan without one of its most reliable players. Alternatives exist within the roster, including stars like Alexia Putellas, Aitana Bonmatí, and Patri Guijarro, but the absence of Abelleira strips away some tactical flexibility.
Real Madrid too feels the blow of losing one of their pivotal players. Abelleira had recently started securing her role again after fluctuations between being on the pitch and off, particularly with coach Alberto Toril opting for different midfielders during pivotal matches. Nevertheless, with Abelleira sidelined, the squad's dynamics shift drastically. This news also compounds the challenges faced by the club, as they had previously lost defender Rocío Gálvez to another knee injury.
Returning to the pitch may take significant time; experts suggest recovery from ACL injuries can span between six to eight months, meaning Abelleira won’t return until the latter part of the next season, if all goes as planned. The Real Madrid Medical Services confirmed, "After the operation, recovery will commence, following similar protocols to those adopted for other players with similar injuries." This lengthy absence puts both club and country at a strategic disadvantage as they aim for triumphs on both the domestic and international stages.
The incident has ignited conversations around injury prevention and support for athletes, especially female football players, who are increasingly under scrutiny as their visibility and influence grow. Many fans have rallied around Abelleira, expressing their support on social media platforms, emphasizing her resilience and promising to be there for her during her recovery.
While the road to recovery seems long, Abelleira’s contributions to football have been noteworthy and will not be forgotten. Her determination during rehabilitation could also serve as inspiration to younger players wrestling with injuries themselves.
Fans and teammates alike will keep their fingers crossed as Teresa Abelleira embarks on this recovery process, hopeful for her return to the pitch and her dynamic presence to reinvigorate both Real Madrid’s title quest and Spain’s European ambitions.