Éder Militão will not play at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Real Madrid confirmed on April 28 that the 28-year-old Brazilian defender underwent surgery for a rupture of the proximal tendon of the biceps femoris in his left leg.
The operation was carried out in Finland by Dr. Lasse Lempainen under the supervision of Real Madrid’s medical staff. Recovery from this type of surgery typically takes at least five months, which places Militão’s return well past the tournament’s conclusion. The World Cup begins on June 11 and runs through July 19 across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Brazil open their campaign on June 13 against Morocco in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Militão will not be part of that squad.
How the Injury Happened and Why Surgery Was Chosen
The injury itself occurred during Real Madrid’s 2-1 La Liga win over Alaves on April 21. Militão felt a sharp twinge while making a challenge just before halftime and immediately signalled to be substituted. The initial assessment raised hopes he might recover in time for the tournament, but further medical tests confirmed the injury was a recurrence of the same hamstring problem he had sustained in December during the match against Celta Vigo. That earlier injury had already kept him out for four months.
Once the scans came back, Militão faced a choice. Conservative treatment could have given him a chance to feature at the World Cup. The risk, however, was significant. A conservative approach carried a high risk of reinjury, given that the same tendon had failed a second time within five months. He chose surgery, accepting that he would miss the World Cup but protecting his long-term fitness. The operation in Finland proceeded on April 28, and Real Madrid confirmed it was successful.
Militão’s Injury History
The numbers tell a difficult story. Militão has played 21 times for Real Madrid in all competitions this season, starting 16 of those. Across the last three seasons combined, he has featured in just 38 La Liga matches, a figure that reflects just how much injury has taken from what should be the prime years of his career. In 2022-23, he ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. In 2023-24, he did the same to his left knee. Both injuries required full reconstructive surgery and extended absences. The hamstring problems this season represent a third significant setback in four years.
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What It Means for Brazil
Brazil’s defensive setup for the World Cup now has a significant hole. Militão had been considered a certainty for the squad heading into the tournament, a composed, experienced centre-back who brings positional discipline and aerial strength to the back line. His partnership with other members of the Brazilian defence had given the national team a settled look ahead of a tournament they will enter as one of the favourites.
Head Coach Dorival Júnior will now have to look at options to replace Militão in both the domestic and European leagues. Gustavo Gómez from Palmeiras, Beraldo from Paris Saint-Germain, and Marquinhos are all currently in contention for being part of Brazil’s defensive lineup, but with Militão’s absence, it will leave one less player who has already proved to be a regular starter.
Brazil faces Panama in a friendly on May 31 in Rio de Janeiro and then Egypt on June 6 in Cleveland before the competitive matches begin. The squad announcement, expected in mid-May, will reflect the selection decisions Dorival Júnior now has to make without one of his preferred starters.
Real Madrid’s Wider Injury Picture
Militão’s surgery lands on top of a difficult few weeks for Real Madrid’s fitness department. Kylian Mbappé is nursing a thigh injury that casts doubt on his availability for El Clásico. The club has publicly expressed frustration at the volume of injuries sustained across the squad, with internal concern growing about medical management practices. David Alaba, out since December 2023 with a cruciate ligament rupture, is set to leave the club on a free transfer at the end of his contract. Antonio Rüdiger, who has been filling in alongside Militão at centre-back, is out of contract at the end of June but expected to sign an extension. Real Madrid sit second in La Liga behind Barcelona and face Espanyol on Sunday, navigating the final weeks of the season with a depleted squad.
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