After a long time away, Éder Militão is back with the Brazilian national team. He last played for them at the Copa América last year. Now, he’s ready for upcoming friendly matches against South Korea tomorrow and Japan on Tuesday. It’s a return that almost didn’t happen, a comeback story built on grit.
This journey back was anything but simple for the Real Madrid defender. Militão faced two brutal knee injuries, almost one right after the other. In 2023, his left knee suffered a cruciate ligament rupture. Then, in 2024, the right knee gave out in the same way. These back-to-back setbacks put his entire career in doubt.
Speaking from Seoul yesterday, Militão opened up about the tough times. “After the second injury, many thoughts went through my mind,” he shared. “I truly considered giving up football because it’s an incredibly difficult path.” His words painted a clear picture of the mental battle he fought.
Thankfully, Éder Militão wasn’t alone in his struggle. The former FC Porto player, now 27, credited his support system for helping him push through. “With the help of my wife, my daughter, and my teammates, I found the strength to keep going,” he stated. “I am here today, ready to play well, thanks to them.” His determination shines through, a testament to his fighting spirit.