Real Madrid is on the brink of welcoming back a crucial trio - Dani Carvajal, Antonio R¨¹diger, and ?der Milit?o - as the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup kicks off.

The club isn¡¯t just signaling their impending return through official updates. They¡¯ve also made them the faces of their brand-new away jersey campaign - an image-heavy move packed with symbolism. These three warriors, long sidelined by injuries, are being reintroduced not only as players but as pillars of a veteran core in a squad steadily getting younger.

It¡¯s a welcome twist in a season-long narrative. For much of 2024/25, Madrid¡¯s most frequent diagnosis has been ¡°short on defenders.¡± That storyline may soon be history. The team¡¯s first training session in Palm Beach on Sunday was a turning point: all three defenders participated and showed signs they¡¯re close to being game-ready. They¡¯re not quite cleared yet, but according to club sources, ¡°they¡¯re very close¡ªpossibly ready for the end of the group stage.¡±

And this isn¡¯t just wishful thinking. At Sunday¡¯s session in The Gardens North District Park, all three played a full part in key drills. Carvajal was sprinting up the flank and sending in crosses. R¨¹diger looked sharp in aerial battles, showing no signs of instability in the knee he had surgically repaired back on April 27¡ªa procedure to address the meniscus issue that plagued much of his season. Milit?o and Carvajal, meanwhile, are returning from more serious ACL tears. Carvajal¡¯s injury, sustained on October 5, also affected his lateral collateral ligament and popliteal tendon. Milit?o tore his ACL just over a month later, and both of his menisci were also impacted.

Carvajal, in particular, had a long road back. When he returned to field work in February, his right leg had clearly lost muscle mass. But the veteran fullback rebuilt himself through grueling rehab sessions at Valdebebas, Madrid¡¯s training complex. Slowly but surely, he¡¯s clawed his way back into shape.

Still, Madrid isn¡¯t rushing them. As important as the Club World Cup may be, the recent additions of Dean Huijsen and Trent Alexander-Arnold have deepened the defensive rotation, giving Carvajal, Milit?o, and R¨¹diger the breathing room to rejoin the lineup on their own terms. They¡¯re not here to be emergency fixes¡ªthey¡¯re long-term reinforcements, set to rejoin the team gradually as the tournament progresses.

Their veteran leadership, especially that of Carvajal and the always fiery ¡°Rambo¡± R¨¹diger, is just as valuable off the field as it is on it. Whether Madrid ends up facing a powerhouse like Manchester City in the knockout rounds or simply needs a calm hand in the locker room, these three are indispensable. Carvajal, in particular, has a unique role. Along with Luka Modri?, he¡¯s the only player still on the roster who shared a pitch with head coach Xabi Alonso during his playing days. That connection makes him a vital bridge between the coaching staff and the current squad¡ªespecially the group of ten academy players Alonso brought with him to Florida.

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So, yes, it¡¯s nearly time. The long wait is almost over. Between them, Carvajal, Milit?o, and R¨¹diger have racked up a combined 529 days out¡ª255 for the Spanish fullback, 222 for the Brazilian center back, and 52 for the German. But now, the clock is ticking in the other direction.

As the classic rock band Europe once sang: It¡¯s the Final Countdown. And in Madrid, that countdown is cause for celebration.