Real Madrid’s Aurélien Tchouaméni ruled out against Real Sociedad due to muscle strain

Aurélien Tchouaméni will not feature when Real Madrid host Real Sociedad on August 26, ruled out with a muscle strain in his left thigh. The injury affects the semitendinosus, one of the three hamstring muscles, and it comes at possibly the worst time for a Madrid squad already stretched thin by a brutal post-World Cup schedule. This is supposed to be a celebration. The Real Sociedad fixture marks Madrid’s first home game at the Santiago Bernabéu for the new 2026-27 La Liga campaign. Instead, José Mourinho’s squad sheet reads more like a hospital discharge summary. Madrid’s injury crisis deepens Tchouaméni was already held out of Madrid’s previous match against Espanyol as a precaution, even though he had shown some progress in training. Madrid won that one 2-1, but the Frenchman’s absence was conspicuous. That caution makes sense when you look at who else is missing. Endrick is dealing with his own muscle issue. Eder Militao remains a long-term absentee. Rodrygo is out with a knee problem. Asencio and Mendy are also unavailable. Tchouaméni’s role in this Madrid side is the kind that only becomes obvious when he’s not there. The 26-year-old operates as the team’s defensive midfield...