Spanish soccer giant Real Madrid announced a huge KO injury blow which Cope – citing anonymous sources – expects to sideline the first team starting player in question for around two months.
“After the tests carried out today on our player Dani Ceballos by the Real Madrid Medical Services, he has been diagnosed with an injury to the semimembranosus muscle with involvement of the tendon of the left leg,” a message shared on the club’s official website and X social media account on Thursday afternoon read.
The correspondence ended with the usual “pending evolution” message, which means that an estimated recovery time wasn’t given.
According to well-informed Cope journalist Arancha Rodriguez, however, Ceballos could be out of action for at least two months or more specifically until the start of May.
The news comes as a huge blow to Ceballos, who until recently had been a bit-part player at the Bernabeu who was frequently linked with a potential return to Real Betis or crossing town to Madrid’s bitter rival Atletico.
In 2024/2025, however, the Andalusians fortunes improved to the extent that he became a regular fixture in Carlo Ancelotti’s midfield as a double pivot alongside the likes of Fede Valverde and captain Luka Modric.
Granted shortages in defence – which have seen Aurelien Tchouameni and Fede Valverde having to retreat to centre back and right back positions – have greatly contributed to the former Arsenal star’s upturn in fortunes, yet Ceballos has impressed to receive standing ovations from Los Blancos fans and praise from his manager.
On Wednesday night after he was brought off with his niggle during an eventual 1-0 Copa del Rey semifinal first leg win at Real Sociedad, Ancelotti singled out Ceballos for the positive contributions he makes to the team’s game.
“Everyone has their own characteristics and he has very good ball handling,” the Italian remarked.
“He has brought better possession, better handling of the ball. The rest have other characteristics, but we also have [Luka] Modric, who is similar to Ceballos in this sense. And [Jude] Bellingham, who also helps a lot in ball handling. As always, we will have to replace important players, but we will.”
As a consequence of his setback, Ceballos will miss the return leg in the cup against La Real, a Champions League last 16 showdown with Atleti plus potential quarterfinals and semifinals legs, and various La Liga fixtures.
In his absence, the likes of Tchouameni and Camavinga will probably be picked more to partner Valverde providing they aren’t required in defense.