Ferland Mendy’s long-awaited return for Real Madrid ended in disappointment after just 10 minutes in the Copa del Rey final against Barcelona.
Cleared to start after missing over a month with a hamstring injury, the French defender looked eager to make an impact. However, trouble struck early when Mendy signaled to the bench that he could not continue. Carlo Ancelotti quickly sent on Fran Garcia to take his place.
It was a frustrating twist for Mendy, who has battled several fitness issues throughout his time in Spain.
Mendy joined Real Madrid on 12 June 2019 from Lyon, signing a six-year deal for an initial €48 million fee, which could rise to €53 million with add-ons. He made his debut on 1 September 2019 in a 2–2 draw against Villarreal and scored his first goal for the club on 13 July 2020 in a 2–1 win over Granada.
This season, Mendy has featured in 14 La Liga matches, providing one assist. His latest setback will leave fans and club staff alike hoping for better news in the coming days.
