Antonio Rudiger and David Alaba are expected to miss the start of the FIFA Club World Cup in the USA due to long-term injuries sustained during the season.
The duo, who sustained similar injuries(ruptured meniscus) in the just-ended campaign, will miss a large part of the tournament after failing to recover on time.
New boss Xabi Alonso will miss the opportunity to train with the experienced pair in his first pre-season-esque FIFA competition following his appointment as Los Blancos manager, succeeding Carlo Ancelotti.
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Despite that, Alonso will still be privileged enough to welcome newcomers Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dean Huijlund to the squad.
Aside from Rudiger and Alaba, Alonso will also have to wait for some of his injured players to return to action, as Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao are expected to make a comeback, but Endrick and Eduardo Camavinga are unlikely to be available.
The Athletic has now confirmed that both Antonio Rudiger and David Alaba are expected to be unavailable for the start of the FIFA Club World Cup later this month.
Rudiger opted to undergo surgery on his knee after having played through pain for the majority of the season, given the lack of defensive options at former manager Carlo Ancelotti’s disposal.
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Even though the German international is working hard to recover in time for the maiden competition, recent reports makes it unlikely for him the squad now.
Alaba, on the other hand, had to undergo surgery after suffering a tear in the meniscus of his left knee, months after having returned from an Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury.
Initial expectations were that Alaba could return in time for the FIFA competition, but at the moment his return for the start of the competition appears very slim.
This leaves Alonso with new signing Dean Huijsen and Raul Asencio as the fully fit options at centre-back for the beginning of the Club World Cup.
Alonso plans to take youngsters like Jacobo Ramon and Diego Aguado for the tournament and they may get chances, depending on how fit Militao is after spending almost ten months out.
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