The dreaded ‘FIFA virus’ has been a common grievance for elite clubs for years, referring to the physical toll and injuries players sustain while away on international duty.0However, data suggests...
The dreaded ‘FIFA virus’ has been a common grievance for elite clubs for years, referring to the physical toll and injuries players sustain while away on international duty.0
However, data suggests that Real Madrid suffers a disproportionately high number of setbacks during World Cup years compared to other clubs.
The impact of FIFA Virus at Real Madrid
Looking back at the 2022-23 campaign – the year of the Qatar World Cup – Real Madrid accumulated a staggering 72 injuries, reports Diario AS.
This figure was double that of their fiercest rivals, FC Barcelona, who recorded just 36 injuries during the same period.
While that season was considered an anomaly due to the tournament being played in winter, leading to unusual fatigue, the trend appears to be repeating itself in the current campaign.
The statistics for the current 2025-26 season are already setting off alarm bells at Valdebebas.
Real Madrid have been the main victim of the FIFA virus. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
With the recent absence of Kylian Mbappe, who missed the clash against Manchester City, Xabi Alonso’s squad has now suffered 44 injuries this season.
The list includes minor knocks but also devastating long-term absences for key starters like Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dani Carvajal, and Éder Militão.
To put the severity of this crisis into perspective, Real Madrid have not even reached the halfway point of the league campaign, yet they have already surpassed Barcelona’s total injury count (36) from the entire 2022-23 season.
With the 2026 World Cup looming at the end of the tunnel, the injury projection for the remainder of the season is alarming.
Despite constant pleas from players and coaches to lighten the calendar, FIFA currently shows no intention of reducing the number of matches.
Category: General Sports
