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

Eder Militao walks off to be substituted after sustaining an injury
Eder Militao walks off to be substituted after sustaining an injuryREUTERS / Isabel Infantes

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. Militão 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.