From the Brink to the Backline: Militao’s Incredible ACL Comeback
8 October 2025
The Two ACL Sagas: Militao’s Ordeal
Brazilian star and Real Madrid defender Éder Militao opened up about reaching a dangerous crossroads after back-to-back ACL injuries, admitting he seriously considered retirement after more than 400 days away from the pitch.
This wasn’t merely physical pain; it was a brutal mental and emotional battle that he fought in silence, marked by doubt, fear, and fatigue as injuries struck one after another.
Recovery, Support, and Return
The journey began in August 2023 when he collapsed on the pitch at San Mamés in the opening La Liga match against Athletic Bilbao, suffering a full tear of the ACL in his left knee.
The injury required complex surgery and a long rehabilitation, keeping him out for 214 days. After a tough recovery and hopeful return, a setback struck again in November 2024 during a Madrid clash with Osasuna, this time a complete tear of the ACL in the right knee with cartilage damage, necessitating a second operation and 224 additional days out.
Total time away: 438 days, more than a year off the field, turning a star into a man fighting to reclaim himself.
In a rare moment of candor at a Brazil press conference, Militao said, 'With my second injury, I thought about leaving football. It is not easy to go through all this.' He added that this was 'two very difficult years' during which routine vanished, training and movement were restricted, and he had to rely on others at home.
A Glimmer of Hope and a Human Foundation
Yet amid the darkness, hope arose from his family and faith. He said, 'Thanks to them, to my wife and daughter, I am here today, strong and ready to give all I have.'
He described the second experience as giving him 'operational knowledge' but warned that overcoming such adversity requires a deep bond with family and God. Real Madrid and coach Carlo Ancelotti played a pivotal humanitarian role in rebuilding him mentally as much as physically.
Ancelotti treated Militao not just as a recovering player but as a human going through a profound existential crisis. Militao recalls the coach’s words: 'Stay here calm, you are not ready to play yet. I thanked him and asked to play, but he knew the priority was to restore the person before the player. The head must be in good shape.'
The First Treatment
Those words served as early therapy, restoring inner balance and teaching that a return to football begins in the mind and heart. With this mental and professional backing, Militao gradually returned to training and then to official matches, maintaining his physical condition and confidence. The journey was long and painful, but he emerged stronger than ever.
After missing 94 official matches, Militao returned in the 2025-2026 season to the starting lineup of Real Madrid. He has since made seven appearances across all competitions, including six in La Liga, scoring once against Espanyol in a 2-0 win, and earning a yellow card over 495 minutes played.
In Europe, he played a full Champions League match against Marseille, also with a yellow card. Overall, he has 585 minutes on the field, one goal, and two yellow cards, confirming his steady return as a key defensive pillar for both Real Madrid and Brazil.
Militao has come back from the edge of retirement to prove that a setback is not the end, but a fresh start toward glory. 'The journey was tough, but worth it,' he says, 'I feel reborn, I play for myself and for everyone who stood by me.'
As the season progressed, Militao’s comeback continued to strengthen his role in the squad, underscoring the power of resilience and teamwork. And if you thought the drama ends at the whistle, remember: even a great defender can misplace a medical chart, but not his will to win. And yes, his ACLs still make a better comeback than your Wi‑Fi router.
