2 May 2026
Brazilian defender Eder Militao underwent successful surgery on his left thigh, Real Madrid announced this week, forcing him to withdraw from the 2026 World Cup with the Seleção.
Real Madrid stated in a press release, "Our player Eder Militao underwent successful surgery today to repair a rupture of the proximal tendon of the biceps femoris muscle in his left leg," without specifying the duration of his absence.
The Real Madrid defender sustained the injury last week during his team's 2-1 victory over Alavés in the 33rd round of La Liga.
The 28-year-old Militao underwent the surgery at a clinic in Finland, under the supervision of Real Madrid's medical staff, and "will begin his rehabilitation program in the coming days."
Spanish and Brazilian media outlets estimate that the former Porto player, who joined Real Madrid in 2019, will be sidelined for at least five months. After a series of injuries over the past two years, including two torn cruciate ligaments, Militao is expected to miss the World Cup finals in the United States, Canada, and Mexico (June 11–July 19).
Militao's absence from the five-time world champions' squad is a major blow for the player and his Italian coach, Carlo Ancelotti, who previously managed him at Real Madrid and considers him "one of the best defenders in the world."
