What happened: Fabrizio Romano reports that Ferland Mendy could be sidelined for up to one year following a new injury, citing @tjcope. Real Madrid are expecting surgery as the next step before a final recovery timeline can be set. The club is hoping to avoid the prospect of retirement weighing on the French defender after yet another setback.

Why it matters: Mendy's absence is a major blow for a Real Madrid side that has now logged 120 injuries across two seasons, deepening a crisis at left-back. Losing a first-choice defender for up to a year forces Carlo Ancelotti to reshuffle a backline already stretched thin in a title race and Champions League run. The injury also raises long-term questions about Mendy's future at the Bernabéu given his lengthy medical history.

What to watch: Watch for Real Madrid's official medical update confirming the surgery date and post-operative timeline. Squad implications at left-back, including potential summer transfer activity, will follow once the diagnosis is finalized.