Dani Carvajal and Rodri's return date to the pitch teased

The recent ACL tear suffered by Dani Carvajal has once again brought attention to the growing concerns among players regarding the congested football calendar. This injury came shortly after another elite Spanish player, Rodri, also suffered a significant injury, raising questions about the impact of expanded club competitions on player welfare.

La Roja's two most important footballers out of action 

Carvajal sustained his injury during a La Liga match against Villarreal and had to be stretchered off the pitch. This unfortunate incident reflects a concerning pattern among top players who have expressed worries about the demanding match schedule and subsequently experienced serious physical setbacks. Meanwhile, Rodri is set to sit out the entire 2024-25 season. Several players have spoken out about the demanding match schedule, highlighting the limited time for recovery and the heightened risk of injuries.

Despite their injuries, Dani Carvajal, Rodrigo Hernández 'Rodri', and Robin Le Normand showed their support for the Spanish internationals on Thursday at the Ciudad del Fútbol in Las Rozas. Their visit aimed to uplift and encourage Luis de la Fuente's squad ahead of the upcoming matches against Denmark and Serbia in the Nations League. 

The Spanish national team, as the reigning Nations League champions, will play against Denmark on Saturday, October 12, in Murcia, and three days later, on Tuesday, October 15, they will face Serbia in Córdoba. Both of these stellar individuals are anticipated to rejoin the national team in the latter part of 2025 as part of their recuperative measures.

Mikel Merino's take on the injuries

Mikel Merino refrained from attributing the serious knee injuries suffered by his international teammates Rodri Hernandez and Dani Carvajal to the lack of rest. He emphasized the need for collective action to bring about a change, stressing that the burden should not solely rest on national team matches. "We can't blame two such serious injuries together for this. We have to take care of ourselves and try to do the best we can with an unavoidable schedule. We're going to miss them a lot."