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Real Madrid Handed Injury Boost as Defender Set to Return Against Betis

Real Madrid Manager Xabi Alonso Gets Injury Boost

Real Madrid are expected to have Ferland Mendy available for their first LaLiga match of 2026 against Real Betis on Sunday.

Los Blancos have been without the Frenchman since he suffered a fresh muscular injury at the start of December. He had only returned from a six-month stint on the sidelines following hamstring surgery.

Mendy was on the bench for Real Madrid’s 2-0 win over Sevilla in their final LaLiga game of the year. However, the Frenchman was not fit enough to enter the pitch.

Mendy’s return comes as a relief for Xabi Alonso, who has had to work with a skeletal defensive unit in recent weeks.

Eder Militao is out for the season, while Dani Carvajal, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dean Huijsen, and David Alaba have missed several games due to injury.

Carvajal, Alaba, and Antonio Rudiger are in the final stretch of their contracts, and the club are looking to reinforce in the summer.

Real Madrid have been linked with Dayot Upamecano in recent weeks, while Marc Guehi is also believed to be a person of interest.

Real Madrid Get Injury Boost Ahead of Betis Clash

Ferland Mendy has struggled to stay fit, with muscular and hamstring issues bothering him the most. According to Transfermarkt, he has missed 39 games for Real Madrid due to injury since the start of the 2024/25 season.

Owing to Mendy’s poor fitness record, Real Madrid signed Alvaro Carreras from Benfica in the summer transfer window. He has since become Xabi Alonso’s first-choice left-back.

However, Mendy is unwilling to throw in the towel, with reports claiming he is looking forward to fighting for his place. He has worked well over the winter break and is now ready to return to the game against Real Betis.

Alonso has been cautious with injuries, so it is unclear if he would start Mendy right away. But he is expected to get at least a few minutes against the club from Seville.

Real Madrid will play Atletico Madrid in the Supercopa de Espana semi-final in Saudi Arabia next week. If Mendy proves his fitness, Alonso could start him in the cup tie.

Mendy’s fitness is crucial for Real Madrid heading into the business end of the campaign.

Carreras’ backup, Fran Garcia, has not been able to impress when given the opportunity, committing defensive errors and offering little going forward.

According to reports, Alvaro Arbeloa would sell Garcia immediately if he replaces Alonso at the helm mid-season. With Garcia slipping down the pecking order, Mendy has the opportunity to become an important member of the squad.

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