TA: Ferland Mendy will participate in some Real Madrid training this week, but it will still take a few weeks to return

According to Theathletic reports, Real Madrid left back Ferland Mendy will participate in part of the team's training this week. This is the Frenchman's first return to the training ground since he was injured in the Copa del Rey final against Barcelona on April 26.

In the eighth minute of that game, Mendy ruptured the proximal quadriceps tendon in his right thigh. He underwent surgery four days later and the club expected him to be out for 10 to 12 weeks. The 30-year-old Mendy plans to gradually increase the intensity of joint training and try to reduce the risk of re-injury. Mendy was still on crutches during Modric's farewell game at the Bernabeu, so he has yet to train under new coach Xabi Alonso.

Mendy has always been known for his defensive reliability and frequent injuries, which have affected his stable performance. However, in the absence of physical issues, Mendy performed brilliantly. The most obvious example was his performance in the Champions League title race in 2022 and 2024, which earned him high praise from then coach Carlo Ancelotti, who called him "the best defensive full-back in the world."

In 2024, Real Madrid and Mendy reached a contract extension agreement (the original contract will expire in 2025), but this news has not yet been officially announced. Since joining from Lyon for 48 million euros plus additional terms in 2019, according to data provided by the German transfer market, Mendy has suffered 17 injuries, causing him to miss 112 games and miss a total of 624 days.

Although they are still weeks away from full recovery, Mendy's return will mean that Real Madrid will have a rare situation in recent seasons, that is, the team will have three healthy left-backs. Alvaro Carreras, signed from Benfica for €50 million this summer, has been a starter in this position and will continue to do so. The former Manchester United player ranks fourth in the team in minutes played this season, with a total of 802 minutes. Mendy's return may reduce Fran Garcia's playing opportunities. This youth player performed well in the Club World Cup, but due to the arrival of Carreras, he only played 202 minutes this season.