Real Madrid defender Eder Militao will miss this summer’s FIFA World Cup after the Brazilian international was ruled out for up to four months following surgery on a hamstring injury, the club confirmed.
Militao sustained the injury during Real Madrid’s 2-1 La Liga victory over Deportivo Alaves on Tuesday while jumping for a header. Initial assessments suggested the issue was not severe, raising hopes he could recover in time for international duty.
However, further medical examinations conducted by the club revealed a more serious problem. In a statement, Real Madrid said tests confirmed “a muscle injury in the biceps femoris of his left leg,” adding that his recovery would depend on treatment progress.
While early estimates indicated a possible one-month absence — which would have ruled him out for the remainder of the domestic season but allowed him to return for FIFA World Cup — the decision to proceed with surgery has significantly extended his recovery timeline.
The 28-year-old centre-back is now expected to be sidelined for around four months, effectively ending his chances of representing Brazil national football team at the tournament and potentially delaying his return to club action into the start of next season.
Militao’s latest setback adds to a series of injury struggles in recent years. The defender has suffered two anterior cruciate ligament tears and a hamstring injury in December that kept him out for nearly four months before returning in late March.
His absence is a major blow for both club and country at a crucial stage of the campaign.