Real Madrid’s medical staff have concluded that conservative treatment on Asencio’s right tibia has failed, and a decision on surgery is expected soon. If the procedure goes ahead, the 23-year-old defender would be sidelined for two to three months according to Marca, ruling him out until roughly the beginning of 2027.
That timeline takes Asencio out of the trip to Barcelona on Sunday, 25 October, when Camp Nou hosts El Clásico with kick-off at 9pm local time. He has not played a single minute of the 2026/27 season.
A fracture that would not heal
The problem is not new. Asencio has been carrying a small fracture in the right tibia since January 2026, and it flared up again in August after he had recovered from a separate muscle injury.
Surgery had already been considered at the end of last season, but the player and the club opted to continue with conservative care. In August, a new treatment programme at Valdebebas was described as his last chance to avoid the operating theatre, and the recent three-week international break was framed as the final window for that approach to work.
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Asencio returned to training but continued to feel pain in the shin. The margin for improvement without surgery is now effectively gone.
Another centre-back off Mourinho’s list
The Portuguese coach, confirmed as Real Madrid head coach on 11 June 2026 on a three-year deal, took charge of a squad in which the centre of defence has been repeatedly disrupted by injury this autumn. Asencio had been in line to start against Villarreal when club football resumed after the international window, with Dean Huijsen suspended, Ibrahima Konaté injured and Éder Militão still working towards competitive clearance.
Losing him for two to three months leaves Mourinho with a narrower rotation at the busiest point of the season. The Real Madrid manager will have to reshuffle again before the trip to Camp Nou.
The club has not put a date on the surgery, though the decision is expected soon.
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