Real Madrid facing defensive injury crisis! Two more stars join Antonio Rudiger on the treatment table in huge blow to La Liga title hopes

The 2024-25 campaign is slowly turning out to be a nightmare for the reigning European champions as two more Madrid defenders, Ferland Mendy and David Alaba, have now been ruled out of action for the remainder of the league season in a fresh blow to the club. Earlier on Tuesday, the club had confirmed that Rudiger went under the knife after suffering an injury during their Copa del Rey final defeat.

While Rudiger was spotted with a heavy ice strapping on his knee towards the end of the final, Mendy had to be replaced in the 11th minute after he felt some discomfort. The club have confirmed that the left-back has been diagnosed with a tear in his right thigh muscle. Alaba, on the other hand, suffered a tear of the internal meniscus in his left knee.

The official club statements on Mendy and Alaba read: "Following tests performed on our player Ferland Mendy by the Real Madrid Medical Services, he has been diagnosed with a tear of the proximal rectus femoris tendon in his right quadriceps. The outcome is pending.

"Following tests performed on our player David Alaba by the Real Madrid Medical Services, he has been diagnosed with a tear of the internal meniscus in his left knee."

The defensive injury crisis comes as a huge blow for Los Blancos at a time when they cannot afford to drop any more points in La Liga. They are trailing leaders Barcelona by four points and will be next seen in action on Sunday as they host Celta Vigo.