Real Madrid injury list: Players out, potential return dates, predicted lineup for next game vs. Villarreal

1 week agoLast Updated: 24 January، 2026

Alvaro Arbeloa is attempting to keep Real Madrid’s season on track in La Liga and the UEFA Champions League.

Earlier in January, Xabi Alonso left as head coach in the wake of a loss to Barcelona in the Supercopa de Espana final in Jeddah, with Alvaro Arbeloa brought in to replace him. What followed was a humiliating Copa del Rey defeat to second-tier Albacete and a narrow win over Levante in front of a fractious home crowd at the Santiago Bernabeu.

However, a 6-1 thrashing of Monaco restored some morale among players and fans, and a similar performance against Villarreal this weekend will further improve the mood.

The Sporting News brings you their current injury list, as well as a look at their latest team news and a preview of how they could line up in their next match.

MORE: Why Xabi Alonso and Real Madrid gave up after just seven months together

Real Madrid injury list

Below is the latest injury picture for Real Madrid, including estimated return dates for those who are sidelined.

Brahim Diaz

Injury: Fitness concerns
Expected return date: January 24 (vs. Villarreal)

Diaz endured a horrible moment in Sunday’s Africa Cup of Nations final as his missed Panenka penalty eventually led to Morocco losing 1-0 to Senegal. He will have needed a rest this week, both physically and mentally, but he is in the squad for the Villarreal trip.

Antonio Rudiger

Injury: Knee
Expected return date: February 1 (vs. Rayo Vallecano)

Rudiger was substituted during the Supercopa semifinal win over Atletico due to pain in his knee. He was on the bench for the final, but he has missed three games since then and is not in the squad to face Villarreal. Another week is likely needed.

Ferland Mendy

Injury: Muscular
Expected return date: TBC

Mendy has been blighted by injuries all season, and since featuring for 21 minutes in the Supercopa against Atletico Madrid, the full-back has been sidelined once more. It is unclear when he will be available again.

Rodrygo

Injury: Hamstring
Expected return date: January 24 (vs. Villarreal)

Rodrygo did not feature against Levante or Monaco due to a hamstring complaint, but he is ready to return this weekend.

Trent Alexander-Arnold

Injury: Hamstring
Expected return date: February

Fresh off his summer move from Liverpool, Alexander-Arnold has struggled through an injury-plagued first season at Real Madrid, hampered by a persistent hamstring issue that seemingly won’t go away.

The England international missed a month of action through September and October with a hamstring problem, and only saw a short return spell on the pitch before he was right back in the trainer’s room for the same issue. It will reportedly be at least until February — possibly longer — until he’s back on the pitch for the La Liga giants.

Eder Militao

Injury: Hamstring
Expected return date: March

Militao, who has been fantastic since returning from his lengthy absences for multiple ACL tears, has gone down with a hamstring injury and will miss significant time.

After exiting in the 24th minute of their defeat to Celta Vigo, the club confirmed a tear to the “biceps femoris tendon” in his left hamstring, and he will miss up to four months. It is a devastating blow to the already thin Real Madrid back line.

Franco Mastantuono

Injury: Pubalgia
Expected return date: —

In late 2025, teenage midfielder Mastantuono was struck down by the same ailment that has hindered Barcelona star Lamine Yamal. Similar to what is known as a “sports hernia,” the injury is one that has to be managed.

While Mastantuono is back to game fitness for Real Madrid, it is still notable to include him on the injury list as it could flare up at any time, and his minutes will likely need to be watched much more carefully than they had been at the start of the season after newly joining the team.