Militao injured again: Is Ancelotti to blame?

A new wave of concern has spread through Real Madrid following yet another injury scare for Éder Militão. The incident occurred during Brazil’s friendly match against Tunisia, an encounter that was supposed to be nothing more than a simple warm-up ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Instead, the night ended with an unexpected controversy surrounding Carlo Ancelotti’s decision-making.

The Decathlon Arena was filled with excitement as Brazil prepared to test formations, assess players, and build momentum. However, the match took a worrying turn almost immediately. Militão appeared uncomfortable from the opening minutes and was visibly feeling pain. According to reports from the Brazilian press, the defender even informed medical staff early in the game that something felt wrong.

Despite this warning, Militão remained on the pitch. Ancelotti, who was watching carefully from the sidelines, consulted his technical team before ultimately deciding to let the centre-back continue. At first, the choice seemed harmless. Militão was able to play through the discomfort during the early stages, contributing defensively and keeping the match balanced at 1–1.

But as the match progressed, the signs worsened. One hour into the game, during what looked like an ordinary lateral pass, Militão suddenly stopped, raised his hand, and called for play to be halted. Seconds later, he collapsed and began limping heavily, the expression on his face confirming the severity of the issue. The substitution was immediate, with Fabrício Bruno entering the match while Militão left the pitch in obvious distress.

Back in Madrid, the biggest concern is that the defender may have aggravated a right adductor injury. He will undergo medical tests to determine the full extent of the damage, but early reports suggest the situation may not be minor. The fact that he played for almost an hour after reporting pain is now at the centre of a heated debate.

Inside the Santiago Bernabéu offices, the same question is circulating: was it really necessary to keep a key defensive leader on the field when he had already shown signs of injury? Real Madrid have suffered multiple long-term setbacks in recent seasons, and Militão’s fitness has always been one of the club’s top priorities. Allowing him to continue under visible discomfort has raised eyebrows within the club’s technical and medical departments.

The controversy is growing not only among fans, but also within football analysts who believe the situation reflects a larger issue. The management of players during international duty has always been a sensitive topic for major European clubs. National teams often push players to participate in games that clubs consider low-risk or unnecessary, leading to disagreements about workload and injury prevention.

This latest incident will only intensify the debate. Real Madrid could potentially lose one of their most important defenders for weeks, if not longer, all because preventative measures were not taken early enough. Supporters are frustrated, questioning why the coaching staff did not intervene sooner given Militão’s clear discomfort during the warm-up phase.

Carlo Ancelotti, although now transitioning leadership of Real Madrid to Xabi Alonso, remains strongly connected to the team’s structure and preparations. His decision to allow Militão to continue playing is now being scrutinized more than ever. Some view it as a risky move that could harm Real Madrid’s season. Others argue that players sometimes want to push through pain during national matches, making the situation difficult for any coach to manage.

In the coming days, all eyes will be on the medical update from Madrid. The club’s fans are hoping for positive news, but fear the worst. Militão has been a pillar in the defensive system and losing him again would be a major blow to Real Madrid’s ambitions both domestically and in Europe.

Ultimately, this incident highlights the ongoing tension between clubs and national teams, the high pressure placed on elite players, and the delicate balance managers must maintain when injury signs appear. For now, Real Madrid wait anxiously, while questions about Ancelotti’s decision continue to gather momentum.