Militão regains fitness and ignites competition in Real Madrid's defense

Éder Militão has regained much of his fitness with Real Madrid after gradually returning to action following a five-month absence due to a thigh injury that required surgery, and he is close to regaining his usual form.

According to the Spanish newspaper "Mundo Deportivo", the defender played for five minutes against Sevilla, before completing a full 90 minutes against AEK Athens, as part of a special plan devised by the medical staff in coordination with coach José Mourinho to help him gradually regain match rhythm.

Éder Militão has not joined the Brazil national team during the current international break, aiming to continue working on regaining his physical fitness and reaching the best possible condition before resuming competitions with Real Madrid.

The return of the Brazilian defender opens up competition for the centre-back positions, after Mourinho relied on Dean Huijsen and Ibrahima Konaté, with intermittent participation from Antonio Rüdiger, and the absence of Raúl Asencio due to injury.

As Éder Militão nears a full return to form, Mourinho will have four options to fill the centre-back positions, presenting him with a challenge in choosing the most suitable duo for the upcoming phase.