Real Madrid defender Raúl Asencio underwent surgery on Thursday for a stress fracture in his right tibia, a development that is expected to keep him out of action for up to four months. The club confirmed the operation on Wednesday, further compounding Real Madrid’s defensive challenges ahead of their next fixture.
Asencio’s Injury and Recovery
The Spanish defender’s procedure addresses a stress fracture in his right leg. While Real Madrid’s announcement on September 30 confirmed the operation, it did not provide a precise return date. However, reports indicate that Asencio could face an absence of up to four months. It has also been reported that Asencio experienced pain and discomfort during the latter half of the 2025-26 season, playing through the issue before the current intervention.
Immediate Defensive Shortage
Asencio’s surgery leaves manager José Mourinho with a significant problem at the heart of his defence. For Real Madrid’s upcoming match, the club will be without Dean Huijsen, who is suspended following a red card against Atlético de Madrid. Adding to the concerns, Ibrahima Konaté is also currently injured. This leaves Antonio Rüdiger as the only available recognised centre-back in the squad.
The extended absence of Asencio, coupled with the immediate unavailability of Huijsen and Konaté, highlights a critical lack of depth in central defence for Real Madrid just two months into the campaign. The coaching staff will now need to manage a sharply reduced group of central defenders for the foreseeable future.