David Alaba’s injury situation has reached a critical point, with concerns growing about his long-term future at Real Madrid and in football.
The 32-year-old Austrian defender, who tore his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in December 2023 against Villarreal, has been sidelined for nearly a year, and his recovery has been much slower than expected. Initial hopes of a return this October have been dashed, and his comeback has now been pushed to 2025.
Alaba’s Injury Has Impacted His Knees
David Alaba’s injury struggles have reached a worrying stage, with reports revealing that his long-term knee injury has severely impacted his ability to train and play without experiencing significant pain. Due to cartilage deterioration in his knee, the bones are rubbing together, causing intense discomfort whenever he tries to train. As a result, there is growing concern that Alaba, at just 32, may never fully recover and could be forced into early retirement.
The Austrian defender, who has enjoyed a remarkable career with clubs like Bayern Munich and Real Madrid, may face the devastating decision to step away from the game. Despite his best efforts to return to the pitch, his condition has not improved significantly, and unless something changes, Alaba might have to retire. This would bring an illustrious career, featuring numerous titles and accolades, to a premature end.
Dani Carvajal, another Real Madrid player, is in a similar situation after a severe collision in a recent match. Medical reports suggest that there is only a 50-60% chance he will fully recover, placing his future in football in doubt as well. Both players have had outstanding careers, and while the prospect of retirement is heartbreaking, they can take pride in all they have accomplished on the field.
According to reports from ‘Onda Cero’, Alaba’s recovery is being complicated by a condition involving reduced cartilage in his knee, causing bone-on-bone friction, which leads to significant pain. This has raised alarm about the potential jeopardy of his football career, though nothing is confirmed yet.
In response to Alaba’s ongoing struggles, as well as injuries to other key defenders like Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao, Real Madrid has already begun exploring options for signing a new center-back in the upcoming transfer window.
With the defense significantly weakened, Madrid is actively searching for reinforcements to bolster their squad. While the rumors about Alaba’s possible retirement remain unverified, the situation underscores the gravity of the injury for both the player and the club.
David Alaba’s injury situation has indeed become alarming, with the Austrian defender facing a prolonged recovery from a torn ACL suffered in December 2023. Reports suggest that his condition has been further complicated by cartilage deterioration in his knee, causing bone-on-bone friction, which has hampered his attempts to return to football. Initially expected to return by October 2024, his comeback has now been delayed until at least 2025, raising concerns about his long-term future in the sport.
At 32, Alaba’s ability to train and play without significant pain has been severely impacted, leading to speculation that he may face early retirement if his recovery does not improve. This development is a blow to both Alaba and Real Madrid, given his pivotal role in defense throughout his career. Despite the uncertainty, there has been no official confirmation regarding his potential retirement.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid is also grappling with injuries to other key defenders, including Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao, which has intensified their search for defensive reinforcements ahead of the next transfer window.
