Real Madrid will decide veteran defender’s future after the FIFA Club World Cup | OneFootball

Real Madrid’s elimination from the UEFA Champions League at the hands of Arsenal has led to tight scrutiny over the coach and some of the players.

Everything suggests there might be a big overhaul in the coming summer, with multiple stars likely to leave the club.

One of the players facing an uncertain future at Santiago Bernabeu is David Alaba, who has barely played for the club on account of injuries.

The Austrian defender is under contract until 2026, but his long-term cruciate ligament injury has raised doubts about his ability to return to his best.

After missing more than a year of football, Alaba returned to the pitch for the Champions League quarter-finals, but his performances left questions instead of answers.

Uncertainty over Alaba’s future

According to a recent report from journalist Sergio Gomez, there is uncertainty creeping in as far as Alaba’s future at Real Madrid is concerned. However, any decision on the defender’s continuity will be made only after the FIFA Club World Cup.

David Alaba could be playing his final season at Real Madrid (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images)

The camp admits that Alaba’s physical decline has been evident and a cause for concern. His high salary also puts him in a delicate spot, especially as the club look to make room for potential new signings in the summer.

Although the club still acknowledge what Alaba has done for the club in recent past, the feeling at Valdebebas is that the club might have to make a difficult decision.

With the team planning changes and considering reinforcements, especially in defence, Alaba’s place in the squad is no longer secure. His contract, expiring in 2026, as well his high wages, are also a factor.

Alaba’s potential exit could spark the start of a new era in the Real Madrid defence, as the club look to put more focus on younger alternatives.

However, a decision on his future will not be made in a hurry and the club will wait until after the FIFA World Cup to take a call on his continuity.