Real Madrid have confirmed that Raul Asencio will undergo surgery on Thursday, 1 October, after being diagnosed with a stress fracture in the tibia of his right leg. The injury is expected to keep the Spanish defender out for up to four months, according to Managing Madrid.
The club announced on Wednesday, 30 September, that Asencio would have an operation the following day. While Real Madrid confirmed the location and nature of the injury, they did not provide a specific recovery period or return date.
Managing Madrid reports that Asencio had experienced pain and discomfort during the second half of the 2025-26 season but continued to play despite the symptoms. The surgery follows that period, although Real Madrid have not released further details about the treatment or outlined how long his rehabilitation is expected to take.
The estimate of an absence lasting up to four months is therefore an indication of the likely disruption rather than a confirmed timetable for Asencio’s return to training or competitive action.
His injury leaves Real Madrid with a major shortage of central defenders. Dean Huijsen is suspended for the next match after being sent off against Atletico de Madrid, while Ibrahima Konate is unavailable because of injury.
As a result, Antonio Rudiger is the only available centre-back identified for Jose Mourinho and his coaching staff, according to the report.
Defensive options severely limited
The situation adds to a series of fitness concerns within the Real Madrid squad. Fede Valverde’s injury is another recent example of a player’s availability being affected following an official update from the club.
Real Madrid’s defensive depth is already described as close to being exhausted only two months into the campaign. Asencio’s operation therefore creates an immediate selection problem rather than being a routine injury setback.
Eder Militao’s recovery could eventually provide another option in central defence, but the information in the report does not establish when he will be fit to return or available for selection.
For now, the defensive picture remains unchanged: Huijsen is suspended, Konate is injured and Rudiger is the only centre-back known to be available.
Real Madrid have confirmed that Asencio will have surgery but have not set a precise recovery timetable. The clearest indication is that he could be sidelined for up to four months, leaving the coaching staff to cope with a sharply reduced centre-back group in the meantime.