The current injury issue surrounding Real Madrid’s left-back Ferland Mendy is merely a symptom of a more profound problem. According to reports from J.L. Calderón in Marca, Mendy’s physical unreliability has become a systemic issue, with the player averaging 92 days out injured per season since his arrival at the club in 2019. This alarming trend has seen Mendy suffer 16 separate injuries, with the player never managing to complete a season with fewer than 65 days of unavailability.
The latest estimate suggests that Mendy will miss not only the crucial Champions League second leg against Arsenal but also potentially the Copa del Rey final on April 26. The initial plan to have him ready for the Emirates match has been scrapped, and the focus has shifted to getting him fit for the Copa del Rey final. Mendy’s physical condition is his Achilles’ heel, and his frequent absences have become a constant concern for the team.
Mendy’s absence is particularly significant because he is not a peripheral figure in Real Madrid’s defensive setup. He is a key player who has been an integral part of the team under both Zinedine Zidane and Carlo Ancelotti. His inability to stay healthy has left a gaping hole in the team, and his absence will undoubtedly be felt.
The timing of Mendy’s injury couldn’t be worse, coming at a time when Real Madrid is already dealing with a mounting list of absences. Eduardo Camavinga is suspended for the second leg against Arsenal, Dani Ceballos is likely to miss the match, and there are doubts surrounding Federico Valverde and David Alaba. While Aurélien Tchouaméni returns from suspension and Andriy Lunin is back in full training, the injuries and suspensions are undoubtedly giving Ancelotti a headache.
Despite the setbacks, Arsenal will be well aware of the challenges that await them in Madrid. For Real Madrid, however, the timing of Mendy’s injury couldn’t be more unfortunate. It’s another season, another setback, and another opportunity for Arsenal and Mikel Arteta to exploit the hole left by Mendy’s absence.
