Real Madrid defender Raul Asencio has undergone surgery on an injury to his right tibia, with reports suggesting he could be sidelined for between two and four months.
The operation has renewed questions about the club’s medical department, following a series of cases in which players and those close to them have reportedly been unhappy with the handling of injuries.
Asencio first suffered the tibia problem in January and underwent an initial operation in October, nine months later. He never fully recovered, experiencing repeated pain while continuing to train and compete on a very limited basis.
The original treatment was minimally invasive and intended to remove abnormal cells from scar tissue on the bone, where poorly healed bone spurs had developed. When that approach failed, surgery at the end of the season was considered.
Real Madrid’s medical team initially decided that surgery was not appropriate. The plan was for Asencio to rest and undergo rehabilitation during the summer, allowing the affected area time to heal. The expectation was that his tibia would respond after months of heavy use.
That approach also failed. Asencio suffered another setback in August, after which doctors finally approved surgery. People close to the player believe the decision came too late, and the timing means he will now miss several months at the start of the season and could be absent for the remainder of the campaign.
The injury is a major setback for Asencio, who believed he was at the peak of his form and capable of earning the trust of manager Jose Mourinho.
Previous cases add to pressure
The issue has also highlighted what is described as a wider structural problem at Real Madrid. Changes have repeatedly been made to the club’s medical and fitness departments, yet disagreements over protocols and decisions continue to affect the dressing room.
Last season, a high number of injuries led to a medical crisis. Real Madrid made no additions during the January transfer window but did change personnel in the medical and fitness teams.
Dr Nico Mihic returned to a senior position in Madrid as medical supervisor, while Antonio Pintus regained control of the fitness programme after the departure of Xabi Alonso and the arrival of Alvaro Arbeloa. Pintus had previously been moved away from the frontline fitness role after Alonso joined.
However, concerns remain. Kylian Mbappe had suffered from a left-knee problem since 7 December, initially diagnosed as a sprained medial collateral ligament. After three months and several visits to the treatment room, the injury had not improved and was instead diagnosed as a partial tear of the posterior cruciate ligament. Mbappe’s decision to travel to Paris for treatment underlined his dissatisfaction.
Jude Bellingham injured a muscle during Real Madrid’s match against Rayo Vallecano on 1 February and was initially expected to miss about four weeks. He was ultimately out for 49 days, raising doubts over whether the club had restored the England midfielder to full fitness during a crucial period.
Eduardo Camavinga also missed nine days with tooth pain, while Alvaro Carreras initially appeared to have only a calf bruise after taking a knock. He continued training under a separate protocol, but later scans revealed a calf muscle tear that kept him out for two weeks.
Eder Militao suffered a further muscle setback in April after already missing half of the season. He required surgery and remains absent, meaning the effects have extended into the current campaign.
Now, Asencio’s case has reopened an injury problem Real Madrid have so far been unable to heal.
