Real Madrid midfielder feeling ‘a 100% and is hungry’ after full recovery from injury | OneFootball

After another stint out on the sidelines due to an injury, Dani Ceballos made his return for Real Madrid just before the international break, entering the squad for the Villarreal game, although he did not feature on the night.

Ceballos had been sidelined for six weeks, recovering from a Grade III ankle sprain he suffered during a match against Real Betis, on a night when Carlo Ancelotti had given him a rare start.

The timing of the injury was particularly cruel for the Spanish midfielder, who had seen limited playing time in the previous season and had hardly featured much up until that point in the new campaign.

Back at 100% and ready to go

Now, having come back from the injury, sources close to the player inform AS that Ceballos is feeling 100% fit and that he is ‘hungry’ to get going again.

Despite initial predictions of an eight-week recovery period, Ceballos worked tirelessly to expedite his return. His dedication in physiotherapy and controlled gym sessions has been praised by club officials.

Three weeks into his recovery, the Spaniard was already back on the grass, running under the supervision of rehabilitation coach Jose Carlos Garcia Parrales.

Ceballos ‘hungry’ to make an impact. (Photo by Adam Nurkiewicz/Getty Images)

Although Ceballos received a call-up for the Villarreal match, having only completed one full training session with the team, it is during the ongoing international break that he has regained his competitive fitness.

The midfielder’s entourage claims that he is “hungry” to make an impact on the pitch.

Selection headache for Ancelotti

Ceballos’ return creates a selection headache for Ancelotti, albeit a positive one. The manager now has seven midfielders at his disposal: Eduardo Camavinga, Aurelien Tchouameni, Fede Valverde, Jude Bellingham, Luka Modric, Arda Guler, and Ceballos.

This wealth of options in midfield will be crucial as Real Madrid continue to navigate a challenging season.

As Real Madrid enter a crucial phase of the campaign, Ceballos’ return is being hailed as the club’s ‘October signing’.

The 28-year-old’s availability adds depth and quality to an already star-studded midfield, providing Ancelotti with greater flexibility and the ability to manage player workloads more effectively.