Real Madrid set to welcome back injured star from six-month layoff but he faces tough competition for spot in Xabi Alonso's starting XI

According to The Athletic, Mendy is set to take part in team training at Real Madrid this week for the first time in nearly half a year. The French full-back has been sidelined since April 26, when he ruptured a proximal tendon in his right quadriceps just minutes into the Copa del Rey final defeat against Barcelona. After undergoing surgery four days later, his recovery period was initially estimated at around 10 to 12 weeks, but setbacks extended his absence for long.

The 30-year-old’s rehabilitation has now reached its final phase, and Madrid’s medical staff are gradually reintegrating him into group sessions. The club intend to monitor his workload closely to avoid any recurrence, especially given his track record of recurring muscle injuries.

Mendy’s upcoming return will mark his first involvement under new head coach Alonso and having not featured in any of Alonso’s sessions so far, the Frenchman will now have to prove his fitness and tactical suitability in a system that has evolved since his absence.

The report confirmed that Mendy will “return to partial training this week,” while club sources see his comeback as a timely reinforcement amid a demanding October schedule. Alonso is expected to take a cautious approach, gradually increasing the defender’s minutes before he is fully match-ready.

Since his €48 million move from Lyon in 2019, Mendy has endured a frustrating spell of fitness problems that have hampered his consistency. He has suffered 17 separate injuries, missing 112 matches and spending over 600 days on the sidelines. Despite that, his performances when fit have been exceptional, particularly during Real Madrid’s Champions League triumphs in 2022 and 2024, when Carlo Ancelotti hailed him as “the best defensive full-back in the world.”

Mendy signed a contract extension in 2024 that has yet to be officially announced, signalling the club’s continued faith in his ability to perform at the highest level despite his physical setbacks.

Mendy’s return comes at a time when Madrid’s left-back department is more crowded than ever. With Carreras, who joined from Benfica for €50 million (£42m/$57m) this summer, has established himself as the clear first-choice, playing more than 800 minutes already this season. Meanwhile, academy graduate Fran Garcia, who impressed in the Club World Cup, has seen his playing time reduced to just 202 minutes so far.

With Mendy’s experience and defensive reliability, Alonso could soon face a selection dilemma, balancing the form of Carreras with the Frenchman’s defensive pedigree. However, Mendy is expected to be eased back as a rotational option before challenging for a regular starting berth.

Madrid will continue to manage Mendy’s recovery carefully, but it may still take several weeks before he is ready to return to competitive action. His availability would be a welcome boost for Alonso, who is preparing his side for a demanding run of fixtures that includes a Clasico showdown against Barca.