Ferland Mendy is close to returning to the Real Madrid squad after recovering from a serious thigh injury sustained six months ago in the Spanish Copa del Rey final against Barcelona.
According to Idman.Biz, citing The Athletic, the French defender will begin partial training with the first team this week.
This will be the 30-year-old footballer's first training session under new head coach Xabi Alonso. Mendy has not participated in training since tearing his hamstring, and he must now prove his fitness and adapt to Madrid's revamped system.
Despite persistent injuries, Mendy retains the club's trust. After joining from Lyon for €48 million in 2019, he has delivered numerous strong performances and was recognized as one of Europe's best defenders during Real Madrid's Champions League triumphs in 2022 and 2024.
However, after six months on the sidelines, Mendy faces stiff competition. New signing Alvaro Carreras, who arrived from Benfica for €50 million in the summer, has established himself firmly in the starting lineup, while academy graduate Fran Garcia is making limited appearances.
Real Madrid's management and coaching staff intend to introduce Mendy cautiously to avoid a recurrence of the injury. His return will be a significant boost amidst a busy October schedule, including the upcoming El Clasico against Barcelona.