Real Madrid Confidencial Real Madrid axes staff over last season's injury plague, Xabi gives the green light
Drastic changes in the medical services of the white club after a season marked by physical absences
Real Madrid has made a bold move. The wave of injuries suffered last season has led to a complete restructuring of the medical department. The sporting management, with Xabi Alonso's approval, has carried out a virtually total purge of the medical staff, including doctors, physiotherapists, and rehabilitation specialists.
According to Onda Cero, the club has chosen professionals from other teams such as Granada, Betis, Málaga (Malaga), or even FC Barcelona. This is a complete change of direction with the goal of drastically reducing the number of muscle injuries and relapses that penalized the team so much last season.
The situation was so critical that, at several points during the season, Carlo Ancelotti was forced to field improvised defenders and academy players in key positions due to a lack of available players.
Felipe Segura takes full control of the medical department
The main beneficiary of this overhaul is Felipe Segura. The doctor, who arrived at Valdebebas in 2021 from Granada, was promoted in November 2023 and will now have full authority.
He will supervise the entire work plan, has participated in the new hires, and is already negotiating the salaries of the renewed medical team. He has the full support of Xabi Alonso and the locker room, which is key for harmony and the effectiveness of the new model.
Segura, who also leads the master's in medicine and sports sciences at the Real Madrid–Universidad Europea University School, is emerging as the strongman of this new era, in which the aim will be greater control, prevention, and efficiency in the recovery of injured players.
A confirmed preseason match
Real Madrid will resume training on Monday, August 4, with all the changes in the medical staff already in place.
The preparations will begin with a tight schedule, which includes a single confirmed friendly: it will be on August 12 against WSG Tirol, in the Austrian town of Innsbruck. This match will serve as preparation for the league debut, scheduled for August 19 at El Sadar against Osasuna (9:00 p.m.).
The club is confident that the renewal of the medical department will start to show results from day one and help minimize physical setbacks in a season that will once again demand the most from everyone.
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