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| Dani Ceballos player of Real Madrid at Valdebebas training ground on July 10, 2023 in Madrid, Spain. |
Only four days into pre-season training, Real Madrid have suffered their first casualty as midfielder Dani Ceballos has picked up a thigh injury, the club have confirmed.
“After the tests carried out on our player Dani Ceballos by the Real Madrid Medical Services, he has been diagnosed with an injury to the distal tendon of the right femoral biceps muscle. Evolution pending,” the official statement from the club read.
Ceballos’ injury comes at an unfortunate time given that the Spaniard would have been hoping to make a strong impression during the pre-season amidst intense competition for places in midfield.
The 26-year-old midfielder signed a new contract with the club this summer, extending his stay at the Santiago Bernabeu until 2027.
Ceballos’ previous deal was about to expire on June 30 and the Spanish ace decided to renew with the club after giving it a long thought.
It has been reported that manager Carlo Ancelotti had given his word to Ceballos that he would have a prominent role in the team, which played a key part in his decision to sign a new deal with the club.
With Real Madrid signing Jude Bellingham and Arda Guler, while also renewing both Luka Modric and Toni Kroos, and the growing importance of Fede Valverde and Eduardo Camavinga, Ceballos has plenty of competition to face for the starting spot in midfield.
And, the injury this early in pre-season could have an impact on his chances, depending on the time he spends on the sidelines.
An update from journalist Alberto Pereiro claims that Ceballos could be out for a period of four to six weeks, which would mean he will miss the entire pre-season and potentially the start of the new campaign as well. Certainly a blow or the midfielder.