Real Madrid injury list: Players out, potential return dates, predicted lineup for next game vs. Elche

Real Madrid are sitting pretty, 3-0 up against Manchester City heading into the second leg of their Champions League clash. 

Alvaro Arbeloa's side marched to a 3-0 win in last week's first leg, thanks to a sensational first-half hat-trick from skipper Federico Valverde.

Arbeloa's fairly taxing injury situation is also starting to ease, with Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham and Alvaro Carreras all part of the travelling party after time on the sidelines.

It remains highly unlikely that Mbappe or Bellingham will start, with a place on the bench in case of a City-prompted emergency serving as an insurance policy for Arbeloa.

The Sporting News brings you the rest of Madrid's injury list, as well as a look at their latest team news and a preview of how they could line up at the Etihad Stadium.

MORE: Why Xabi Alonso and Real Madrid gave up after just seven months together

Real Madrid injury list

Below is the latest injury picture for Real Madrid, including estimated return dates for those who are sidelined.

Ferland Mendy

• Injury: Hamstring
• Expected return date: March 22 (vs. Atletico Madrid)

Mendy started the win over Manchester City but was later diagnosed with an injury in the biceps femoris of his right leg. This weekend's derby against Atletico Madrid might be his most realistic target.

Rodrygo

• Injury: ACL
• Expected return date: September

Rodrygo has suffered a rupture of his anterior cruciate ligament and a rupture of the lateral meniscus in his right leg. This significant setback means the Brazil forward will miss the 2026 World Cup and he is likely to be sidelined for at least six months, possibly longer.

David Alaba

• Injury: Calf
• Expected return date: March 17 (vs. Man City)

Alaba has once more been laid low with a calf injury, having managed just under an hour on the pitch in the loss to Getafe. He could be back for the second leg against City, but it is touch and go.

Dani Ceballos

• Injury: Calf
• Expected return date: April 22 (vs. Alaves)

Midfielder Ceballos is estimated to be facing two months out with a calf injury sustained in the loss to Osasuna at El Sadar on February 21. Madrid's league game with Alaves on April 22 would seem a realistic return date unless Ceballos' recovery progresses more quickly.

Eder Militao

• Injury: Hamstring
• Expected return date: March 22 (vs. Atletico Madrid)

Militao, who had been fantastic since returning from his lengthy absences for multiple ACL tears, has been sideliend since suffering a hamstring injury in the defeat to Celta Vigo last December. Madrid are understandably being careful over his return, and although he took part in some team training on March 13, it is unlikely he will be rushed back.

Franco Mastantuono

• Injury: Pubalgia
• Expected return date: —

In late 2025, teenage midfielder Mastantuono was struck down by the same ailment that has hindered Barcelona star Lamine Yamal.  Similar to what is known as a "sports hernia," the injury is one that has to be managed.

While Mastantuono is back to game fitness for Real Madrid, it is still notable to include him on the injury list as it could flare up at any time, and his minutes will likely need to be watched much more carefully than they had been at the start of the season after newly joining the team. He will miss the Celta game through suspension after he was sent off against Getafe.

Real Madrid predicted lineup vs. Elche

Formation: 4-4-2

Courtois (GK)

Alexander-Arnold, Rudiger, Huijsen, F. Garcia

Valverde, Tchouameni, Thiago Pitarch, Vinicius

B. Diaz, Guler

Real Madrid fixture schedule: Next five games

• Man City vs. Real Madrid | Champions League Round of 16, second leg | March 17
• Real Madrid vs. Atletico Madrid | La Liga | Sunday, March 22
• Mallorca vs. Real Madrid | La Liga | Sunday, April 5
• Real Madrid vs. Girona | La Liga | Sunday, April 12
• Real Madrid vs. Alaves | La Liga | Wednesday, April 22