Real Madrid defender reveals he considered retirement after back-to-back major injuries

Real Madrid defensive mainstay Eder Militao considered retiring from football, he revealed during a press conference while away with the Brazil national team.

The past couple of seasons have been difficult for Militao as he suffered back-to-back ACL injuries, leading him to undergo major surgeries and arduous recovery each time.

Back to full fitness since the summer, the 27-year-old has established himself as a permanent fixture again at Real Madrid this term and has been rewarded for his form with a call-up to the Brazil squad .

The centre-back has joined Carlo Ancelotti’s squad for the upcoming friendlies against South Korea on Friday the 10th, and Japan on Tuesday the 12th.

Ahead of their game against South Korea, Militao attended a press conference earlier today and opened up on his injury ordeal, saying the thought of retirement crossed his mind.

“With my second injury (right knee), a lot of things went through my mind. I thought about retiring from football because it’s not easy, but with the help of my wife, my daughter and my teammates, I’m here today to play well,” said Militao (h/t AS ).

Militao has suffered two ACL injuries in two seasons. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

Continuing, Militao noted: “It’s been a difficult two years, with two very complicated injuries. You deal with the second one differently because you already know the process. It’s not easy. You have to be very close to your family, to God…

“It takes away your routine, what you’re used to doing, training. Suddenly, you’re at home, depending on help, on someone else to help you. Thank God, I recovered from my injuries and returned to the highest level, which is not easy.”

On 12 August 2023, Militao suffered a torn cruciate ligament in his left knee during Real Madri’s match against Athletic Club.

More than a year later, in November 2024, the Brazilian sustained another complete rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament, this time in his right knee, with damage to both menisci.

These two serious injuries kept him out of football for almost two full seasons. Indeed, Militao was sidelined for a total of 438 days, missing 94 matches for Real Madrid .

Following the first surgery on his left leg, he was inactive for 214 days, and after the second, on his right leg, he spent 224 days on the sidelines.

Having resumed playing at the FIFA Club World Cup in June, he has hit good form and is now set to start for Brazil.