Real Madrid's Eder Militao ruled out of 2026 World Cup after undergoing hamstring surgery

Eder Militao walks off to be substituted after sustaining an injury

Real Madrid ⁠defender Eder Militao will miss the World Cup after ‌undergoing surgery on a hamstring tear, ‌the Spanish club said ‌on Tuesday, dealing a heavy ‌blow to club and country ‌less than 50 days before the tournament begins on June ‌11.

"Our player Eder Militao ⁠underwent ‌successful surgery today for a tear ​in the proximal biceps femoris tendon in his ​left leg. The operation was performed by Dr Lasse Lempainen ⁠under ​the supervision of Real Madrid's medical staff. Milit3o will begin his rehabilitation in the coming ‌days," Real Madrid said in a statement.

Militao felt a twinge in a challenge shortly before halftime in last week's win over Alaves and immediately signalled to be replaced.

It was initially thought the ‌28-year-old could recover in time ​for the World Cup, but ‌further tests showed a recurrence of the injury he sustained in December.

Militao has also suffered two serious knee ⁠injuries ⁠in recent years.