Real Madrid's Defensive Revolution: The King of Injuries Is Out
25 December 2025
Defensive reset
The Royal Club gears up for a defensive revolution.
Real Madrid is studying center-back options, aiming to overhaul the back line during the upcoming summer transfer window amid growing defensive issues and nearing decisions on several players, led by Austrian defender David Alaba.
According to ESPN, the issue worsened after Éder Militao's renewed injury, with an expected layoff of between two and four months, prompting Madrid to act early in the market.
Within this context, the Real Madrid board does not foresee extending Alaba's contract, which runs until June 2026, as he will be 34 then. Instead, the club plans to let him depart this summer to refresh the squad and reduce reliance on injury-prone players.
That exit candidate is the former Bayern Munich star, whose age and injuries push him toward leaving Madrid.
Alaba and Militao: the aging dilemma
The clear target for a move is the former Bayern Munich star, the obvious candidate to leave the fortress due to age and recurring injuries.
If defense were a software update, Madrid would install forever buffering.
And if injuries keep coming, the backline would deserve a new moniker: Backline, now with more drama.
