For almost a year, Austrian national team captain David Alaba has been laboring under the consequences of a cruciate ligament rupture and has been forced to watch from the sidelines ever since. Now, however, the Viennese has been able to take an important step on his way back.
Good news for Austrian national team star David Alaba. The 31-year-old has reached another milestone on his way back from his serious knee injury. The Viennese has resumed training with the ball at his club Real Madrid, as the Spanish top club announced on Thursday. Recent pictures show Alaba during an individual session on the training ground of the “Royals” during exercises with the ball.
This should finally put an end to the rumors of a possible early end to the Viennese-born player’s career. His head coach Carlo Ancelotti also dismissed these thoughts in mid-October and expressed a positive view of the return of the defensive leader. However, it remains to be seen when the defender, who has been out for almost a year with a torn cruciate ligament, will be able to rejoin team training.
According to Rangnick, Alaba is “absolutely on schedule”
At the squad presentation for the two final Nations League games, ÖFB team manager Ralf Rangnick responded to the rumors that his captain might end his career, thereby calming Austrian fans. “He’s doing well. Of course it was a difficult, complicated injury, but he’s out on the pitch again. I would say he’s absolutely on schedule.” However, the German coach does not expect the 32-year-old to play for the Austrian national team before March. “I don’t know when he will be able to play for Real again. But I’m sure they won’t rush anything and will play it safe. It’s important that he can continue playing at the highest level for many years to come. A few more weeks won’t make any difference.”
Alaba suffered his serious knee injury in December last year in the league game against Villarreal and has already missed 59 competitive games for the Madrilenians as a result. The defensive professional was also unable to play in the European Championship in Germany, but supported the Austrian team on site as “non-playing captain”.
Since joining Real Madrid from Bayern Munich in the summer of 2021, Alaba has appeared in 102 games for the club, celebrating two Spanish championships, two Champions League victories, one Spanish Cup triumph and two Spanish Super Cup wins with his current club. He has made 105 appearances for the Austrian national team so far. He is currently second on the all-time ÖFB record list of appearances, behind Marko Arnautovic (120).