Real Madrid Set to Welcome Back Injured Star From Six-Month Layoff

Ferland Mendy Faces Tough Competition for a Spot in Xabi Alonso’s Starting XI

After nearly half a year away from the pitch, Ferland Mendy is finally closing in on his long-awaited Real Madrid comeback. But while his return from injury is undoubtedly welcome news for the Spanish giants, the French defender now faces an entirely new reality at the Santiago Bernabéu — and a serious fight for his place in Xabi Alonso’s reshaped starting XI.

For Mendy, who has endured a career defined as much by setbacks as by brilliance, this comeback represents both an opportunity and a challenge: to reclaim the trust of a new coach and to remind Madridistas why, at his best, he was once hailed as the best defensive left-back in world football.

Mendy Returns After Six-Month Layoff

According to reports from The Athletic, the 30-year-old is set to rejoin partial team training this week — his first session with the senior squad since suffering a devastating thigh injury in the Copa del Rey final against Barcelona last April.

That injury, a rupture of the proximal tendon in his right quadriceps, came just minutes into Madrid’s 2–1 defeat to their fiercest rivals. It was cruel timing. Mendy had been one of Carlo Ancelotti’s most consistent performers in the run-in, and the final was meant to cap off his best season in years. Instead, it became the start of a long and frustrating road back.

Initial assessments suggested a 10-to-12-week recovery window, but setbacks during rehabilitation — a recurring theme in Mendy’s Madrid career — prolonged his absence to almost six months. Now, finally, he’s ready to step back onto the grass.

Madrid’s medical staff are proceeding with caution, fully aware of his fragile injury history. He’ll be eased back into group sessions, with individualized fitness programs designed to rebuild strength and flexibility without overloading the affected area.

First Training Under Xabi Alonso

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Perhaps most intriguingly, this will be Mendy’s first experience working under Xabi Alonso.

Since taking over from Carlo Ancelotti at the end of last season, Alonso has quickly stamped his identity on Los Blancos. His Madrid is tactically fluid, aggressive in possession, and relies heavily on dynamic full-backs to push the play wide and high.

It’s a system that has revitalized players like Álvaro Carreras, who joined from Benfica in the summer for €50 million and has since become one of the breakout stars of the campaign. Carreras’ energy, overlapping runs, and technical assurance have made him the undisputed first-choice left-back — a fact not lost on Mendy, who will have to fight his way back into contention.

For Alonso, Mendy’s return adds a welcome headache. The Frenchman offers defensive solidity that few others in world football can match, but his attacking contribution — long viewed as his main limitation — will be scrutinized closely. In a team built on controlled chaos and fluid movement, Mendy will have to show he can adapt.

The Long Battle With Injuries

Since arriving from Lyon in 2019 for €48 million, Mendy’s Real Madrid career has been a study in contrast.

When fit, he’s been nothing short of exceptional. His defensive awareness, composure in one-on-one situations, and uncanny ability to shut down elite wingers made him an integral part of Madrid’s Champions League triumphs in 2022 and 2024. Carlo Ancelotti once famously called him “the best defensive full-back in the world.”

But those moments of excellence have too often been interrupted by time on the treatment table. In five seasons, Mendy has suffered 17 separate injuries, missing over 110 matches and spending more than 600 days sidelined.

His thigh problems, in particular, have been recurring — a nightmare for any player whose game relies on explosive movement and balance. That’s why this comeback is so significant. It’s not just about returning to play; it’s about proving he can stay there.

Despite the setbacks, Madrid have shown faith in him. The club quietly extended his contract in 2024, though the deal has yet to be publicly confirmed. Insiders view it as a signal that, when healthy, Mendy remains part of the club’s long-term plans — though this season will likely determine how true that still is under Alonso’s leadership.

Tough Competition at Los Blancos

Fran Garcia Real Madrid Dortmund 2026

If Mendy’s challenge wasn’t already steep, it’s even tougher now.

Álvaro Carreras has been a revelation. The 22-year-old Spaniard has played more than 800 minutes already this season, delivering consistent performances that have impressed both fans and coaching staff. His chemistry with Vinícius Júnior down the left flank has added new dimensions to Madrid’s attack — a combination of pace, flair, and width that’s become crucial to Alonso’s system.

Behind Carreras, there’s also Fran García, the academy graduate who earned plaudits during the Club World Cup earlier this year. Though his minutes have been limited (just 202 so far), García remains a dependable rotation option and is seen as a valuable squad player for domestic fixtures.

That means Mendy, despite his pedigree, will have to start from the bottom of the pecking order. The plan, according to club sources, is to reintegrate him gradually — likely with minutes off the bench in less demanding fixtures before assessing his readiness for full starts.

Still, if history is any indicator, Mendy thrives under pressure. His defensive prowess, aerial ability, and tactical discipline could yet make him indispensable again, especially in high-stakes European nights where defensive security often proves decisive.

Alonso’s Dilemma: Form or Experience?

For Xabi Alonso, the coming weeks will test his balance between form and experience.

Carreras has earned his place through merit, but Alonso knows Mendy’s presence could prove vital in certain matchups. Against the likes of Manchester City or Bayern Munich — teams that exploit width relentlessly — Mendy’s defensive instincts might be too valuable to ignore.

At the same time, Alonso’s vision for Madrid is built on evolution, not nostalgia. His tactical model emphasizes build-up play from the back, and Carreras’ comfort in tight spaces gives him an edge in that department.

In truth, the two left-backs couldn’t be more different: Carreras is modern and attack-minded, while Mendy is old-school — a pure defender who thrives in containment. The challenge for Alonso will be deciding which version of Madrid he needs for each occasion.

The Road Back — and What Comes Next

Madrid’s October schedule is packed. The team face a grueling run of fixtures, including Champions League clashes and a Clasico showdown with Barcelona, which could arrive too soon for Mendy’s full return.

Still, his comeback offers Alonso depth at a critical stage of the season. Injuries to key defenders earlier this year exposed Madrid’s vulnerability when rotating, and having Mendy available again could be crucial for maintaining balance across competitions.

More than anything, though, this moment feels symbolic. It’s a chance for Mendy to reset, to reclaim a sense of purpose after six months of frustration. He’s 30 now — no longer the young, hungry full-back who arrived from Lyon with everything to prove. But he still has something left: pride, experience, and a point to make.

If he can stay fit and adapt to Alonso’s modernized system, there’s still room for him to contribute meaningfully. Real Madrid may have moved forward in his absence, but Ferland Mendy’s story at the Bernabéu isn’t finished yet.