Terrible news for Real Madrid: David Alaba has torn his ACL, his season is over.

Real Madrid’s defensive woes continue as another blow has hit their backline. Centre-back David Alaba, a key signing from Bayern Munich in the summer, suffered a torn ACL during Sunday evening’s La Liga clash against Villarreal. The injury occurred when Alaba twisted his left knee in the first half, forcing him to be helped off the pitch and rendered unable to put weight on his injured leg.

In a somber confirmation, Los Blancos later announced that their versatile defender had indeed torn his ACL. This heartbreaking news not only sends shockwaves through the club but also leaves them with a depleted defense. Alaba joins the unfortunate list of Real Madrid players facing long-term recoveries from ACL injuries this season, alongside goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and fellow defender Eder Militao.

Despite the devastating setback, Alaba has received an outpouring of support from his teammates. Midfield maestro Toni Kroos took to X (formerly known as Twitter) with a simple yet heartfelt message: “I love you David Alaba.” Additionally, Rodrygo, in a post-match interview, expressed his concern for Alaba, stating, “We have to wait for Alaba’s tests, but he was very sad when we saw him at halftime.” Diaz also offered his support, saying, “I want to send a message to David Alaba. We are with him, and we hope it’s as light as possible.” These messages of solidarity from the Madrid squad highlight the unity and camaraderie within the team.

The injury leaves Real Madrid with only two fit senior centre-backs. This lack of depth in the central defense poses a significant challenge for the club, especially considering that Eder Militao had previously suffered a similar ACL injury at the beginning of the season. With no apparent options available within the first team, Los Blancos may be forced to explore the transfer market in January to find much-needed cover.

In the coming days, David Alaba will undergo surgery, which will rule him out for the remainder of the season. This unfortunate setback not only impacts Real Madrid’s La Liga campaign but also potentially their performance in other competitions. As the club faces the uphill battle of coping without their key defender, the fans and the football world alike will be wishing David Alaba a smooth recovery and prompt return to the pitch.