Raul Asencio surgery raises fresh questions over Real Madrid’s medical team

Real Madrid defender Raul Asencio will undergo surgery on an injury to his right tibia, with reports suggesting he could be sidelined for between two and four months.

The decision has reignited concerns about the club’s medical department, following a series of cases in which players’ injuries were felt to have been mismanaged or diagnosed late.

According to Marca, the latest frustration centres on the belief that Asencio’s operation came too late and at the worst possible time. People close to the player had questioned the continued use of conservative treatment, but Real Madrid’s medical staff delayed surgery until now.

Asencio first suffered the tibia problem in January and underwent an operation in October, nine months later. He never fully recovered, experiencing repeated bouts of pain while continuing to train and compete on a very limited basis.

The original treatment was minimally invasive and aimed at removing abnormal cells from scar tissue around the bone. Bone growths had formed but had not healed properly. When that approach failed, surgery was considered for the end of the season.

The plan was to use the summer to allow the injury to recover through rest and rehabilitation, avoiding a lengthy absence during competitive football. Doctors believed the bone might respond after months of intensive use, but that second approach also failed. Asencio suffered another setback in August, after which surgery was finally approved.

Those close to the player believe the decision came too late. The defender will now miss several months during the season, potentially affecting the remainder of his campaign. It is a major blow for Asencio, who had believed he was at the peak of his development and capable of earning Jose Mourinho’s confidence.

Previous injury concerns

The club’s handling of individual injuries has contributed to wider concerns about its medical and performance structure. Real Madrid made no move in the winter transfer window last season despite a serious injury crisis, but did make changes to its medical and fitness departments.

Dr Nico Mihic returned as medical supervisor, while Pintus regained responsibility for the team’s fitness work after Xabi Alonso’s departure and the arrival of Alvaro Arbeloa.

However, disagreements have continued. Kylian Mbappe had suffered a left-knee problem since 7 December, initially diagnosed as a sprained collateral ligament. After three months and several visits to the treatment room, it was reclassified as a partial tear of the posterior cruciate ligament. His decision to travel to Paris for treatment highlighted both the controversy and his dissatisfaction.

Jude Bellingham was injured during Real Madrid’s match against Rayo Vallecano on 1 February. His muscle problem was initially expected to keep him out for about four weeks, but he eventually missed 49 days.

Other cases also damaged confidence. Eduardo Camavinga was absent for nine days with tooth pain, while Alvaro Carreras initially had what was considered a calf bruise after taking a blow. Later examinations found a calf muscle tear that kept him out for two weeks.

Eder Militao also suffered a recurrence of the muscle injury that had already ruled him out for half the season. He remains absent after undergoing surgery, and Asencio’s case has reopened a problem Real Madrid has yet to resolve.