‘A Game-Changing Player’—Forgotten Real Madrid Star Returns for Crucial Stretch

The 15-time European champions are getting their best players back at the perfect time.

Álvaro Arbeloa is hoping to lead Real Madrid to a strong finish. | Alex Livesey/Danehouse/Getty Images

Real Madrid manager Álvaro Arbeloa confirmed defender Éder Militão is back available after nearly four months stuck in the infirmary.

The Brazilian, who suffered a torn hamstring in early December, finally returned to full team training and has been given the green light by the medical staff to end his time on the sidelines. Militão made the trip to Mallorca on Friday for what could be his first appearance in 2026.

“He will be back. He’ll be in Mallorca,” Arbeloa said of Militão in his prematch press conference. “In top form, he’s arguably the best center back in the world.

Éder Militão is back healthy after a long-term hamstring injury. | Robbie Jay Barratt/AMA/Getty Images

“I haven’t had the fortune of managing him in any match yet, but we’ve enjoyed him at Real Madrid for many years, and often you get the feeling that there are two players on the field when he’s there. He’s an exceptional center back due to his physical prowess, his abilities, his intelligence and his leadership.

“He will help us and contribute a lot. He is a game-changing player. I’m very happy to have him back because he will be crucial for this final stretch of the season and for fighting for everything.”

After missing Militão for the entire second half of the season, Real Madrid will be thrilled to have the defender back in their ranks just in time for the Champions League quarterfinals against Bayern Munich, as well as a critical stretch of La Liga matches as they chase Barcelona in the standings.

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Injury Boosts Come at the Perfect Time for Real Madrid

Jude Bellingham is back in the fold for Real Madrid. | Mateo Villalba/Getty Images

Militão is not the only Real Madrid player back from the infirmary. Jude Bellingham also made his long-awaited return before the international break with a cameo in the team’s Madrid derby triumph.

The midfielder was called-up by England boss Thomas Tuchel, but he did not log a single minute in friendlies against Uruguay and Japan. Reports claimed Los Blancos were unhappy with the precautionary approach since it did not allow Bellingham to regain his match fitness, but Arbeloa had no complaints.

“His case was particular. He played a few minutes against Atlético, and his national team coach decided he shouldn’t play,” Arbeloa said of his midfield maestro.

“I understand they didn’t want to take any risks, but Jude is intelligent enough to have had good training sessions and kept himself in shape. He’s ready to play [against Mallorca] and help the team, which is what we need—getting him back into match rhythm.”

It remains to be seen whether Arbeloa will throw the No. 10 back into his XI on Saturday against Mallorca, but just having Bellingham back—even on the bench—is a massive win for a Real Madrid team still four points behind Barcelona in the fight for the Spanish crown.

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Arbeloa Gives Worrying Vinicius Junior Update

Vinicius Junior logged 157 for Brazil during the March window. | Miguel J. Rodriguez Carrillo/AFP/Getty Images

Vinicius Junior is one of the few players to avoid an extended spell on the sidelines this season, but alarm bells sounded when he complained of thigh pain while on duty with Brazil. The winger still logged heavy minutes for the Seleção against France and Croatia, giving him little time to rest.

It comes as no surprise then, that Arbeloa admitted Real Madrid’s No. 7 is “tired,” joking that his “friend” Carlo Ancelotti didn’t give the 25-year-old much time to recover.

“Both Real Madrid and the Brazilian national team are teams where the demands are very high, but that’s what [Vinicius Jr] has to deal with. He’s an incredible player, and it’s clear he’s come from a heavy load of matches since the start of 2026.

“I don’t think he’s had a single day off. We’ll see how he feels ahead of [Saturday’s] match and make our decision.”

Should Vinicius Jr—who has made 49 appearances across all competitions this season, including last summer’s Club World Cup—get rested against Mallorca to keep him fresh for the first leg of the Champions League quarterfinals against Bayern Munich on Tuesday, expect Brahim Díaz to take his place up top alongside Kylian Mbappé.

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