The start to the Xabi Alonso era at Real Madrid has proven rocky, and while the backroom troubles get the headlines, injuries have also been a key part of the season's storyline thus far.
For the second straight New Year's, Los Blancos find themselves chasing Barcelona in the La Liga title race, and they are in a heated battle for a top-eight spot in the UEFA Champions League standings as well.
The fitness problems don't appear to be letting as the calendar turns to 2026, as Madrid fans will be despondent to hear their superstar striker will be missing for multiple weeks to begin the new calendar year.
AllSportsPeople brings you their current injury list, as well as a look at their latest team news and a preview of how they could line up in their next match.
MORE: How Alonso found himself with three games to save his job
Real Madrid injury list
Below is the latest injury picture for Real Madrid, including estimated return dates for those who are sidelined.
Kylian Mbappe
- Injury: Knee sprain
- Expected return date: Late January
Real Madrid received difficult news as 2025 came to a close, with Los Blancos informed that they will be without the Pichichi leader for the first three weeks of the new year thanks to a knee strain.
Mbappe should be back sometime around when Real Madrid host Monaco in the Champions League on January 20, although it's possible he is back sooner. He will, however, definitely miss the Supercopa de Espana semifinal against Atletico Madrid.
Dani Carvajal
- Injury: Knee
- Expected return date: Late January
After a gruesome knee injury wrecked his entire 2024/25 season, Carvajal has been slow to return to full fitness. While it's no surprise that he needs a bit more time to find his way back on the pitch from a serious injury at the age of 33, the fact he had to undergo arthroscopic surgery on his knee in October meant his promising return to fitness in August and September was spoiled.
Reports at the end of 2025 claimed that Carvajal was close to a return, still training alone but pushing for a place in the Supercopa de Espana squad. Even if he falls short of that goal, it's shouldn't be much longer until the Real Madrid veteran is back in action.
Trent Alexander-Arnold
- Injury: Hamstring
- Expected return date: February
Fresh off his summer move from Liverpool, Alexander-Arnold has struggled through an injury-plagued first season at Real Madrid, hampered by a persistent hamstring issue that seemingly won't go away.
The England international missed a month of action through September and October with a hamstring problem, and only saw a short return spell on the pitch before he was right back in the trainer's room for the same issue. It will reportedly be at least until February — possibly longer — until he's back on the pitch for the La Liga giants.
Eder Militao
- Injury: Hamstring
- Expected return date: March
Militao, who has been fantastic since returning from his lengthy absences for multiple ACL tears, has gone down with a hamstring injury and will miss significant time.
After exiting in the 24th minute of their defeat to Celta Vigo, the club confirmed a tear to the "biceps femoris tendon" in his left hamstring, and he will miss up to four months. It is a devastating blow to the already thin Real Madrid back line.
Franco Mastantuono
- Injury: Pubalgia
- Expected return date: —
In late 2025, teenage midfielder Mastantuono was struck down by the same ailment that has hindered Barcelona star Lamine Yamal. Similar to what is known as a "sports hernia," the injury is one that has to be managed.
While Mastantuono is back to game fitness for Real Madrid, it is still notable to include him on the injury list as it could flare up at any time, and his minutes will likely need to be watched much more carefully than they had been at the start of the season after newly joining the team.
Unavailable: Brahim Diaz
Diaz is with Morocco at the Africa Cup of Nations and will not return until at least the early part of January.
Real Madrid predicted lineup vs. Real Betis
Formation: 4-3-3
Courtois (GK)
Valverde, Huijsen, Rudiger, Carreras
Guler, Tchouameni, Bellingham
Rodrygo, G. Garcia, Vinicius
Real Madrid fixture schedule: Next five games
Real Madrid will pause La Liga play briefly in January to contest the Supercopa de Espana out in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Los Blancos are matched up against cross-town rivals Atletico Madrid in the semifinals. A victory in that game will see them play either Barcelona or Athletic Club in the final, but defeat would see them sent home early.
- Real Madrid vs. Real Betis | La Liga | Sunday, January 4
- Atletico Madrid vs. Real Madrid | Supercopa de Espana* | Wednesday, January 8
- Real Madrid vs. Barcelona/Athletic Bilbao** | Supercopa de Espana* | Saturday, January 11
- Real Madrid vs. Levante | La Liga | Saturday, January 17
- Real Madrid vs. AS Monaco | UEFA Champions League | Tuesday, January 20
- Villarreal vs. Real Madrid | La Liga | Sunday, January 25
* In Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
** If necessary