According to Marca, Ceballos, the Real Madrid midfielder who has been repeatedly toyed with by injuries and missed opportunities, is facing another severe test in his career.
According to reports, Dani Ceballos' career seems to always be forced to halt just when it is about to set sail again. When the crucial moment arrives, injuries unexpectedly strike once more, interrupting his progress - this has become the norm for him since joining Real Madrid in 2017. The midfielder from Utrera has repeatedly found himself caught in a similar cycle: initially on the fringes of the coach's plans, he earns a place through hard work, but just as he begins to establish himself, injuries always shatter everything at this moment.
This was exactly the case last season. He convinced Ancelotti, secured a spot in the first team, and played smooth and natural football. However, in a match against Real Sociedad, a collision with Kubo Takefusa caused him to be sidelined for two months during the most critical stage of the season. This heavy blow came at the worst possible time - perhaps the peak period of his Real Madrid career. But this is not an isolated incident; it seems to be an endless cycle that has haunted the No. 19 player.
From Zidane to the loan, and then to the Tokyo tragedy
Since joining in 2017, his experiences have been like a rollercoaster ride. During the two seasons under Zidane, he rarely had opportunities to showcase himself; while on loan to Arsenal, he made 77 appearances, his talent blossomed, and he even lifted the FA Cup. With the trust and playing time given by Emery, he was reborn. However, his two years of brilliance in London failed to open the door to Enrique's European Championship squad. Finally, he set off for the Olympics with Luis de la Fuente. The Tokyo trip became the beginning of a nightmare. In the first match against Egypt, Tahir Muhammad's fierce tackle left him seriously injured. Initially diagnosed with only a sprained ankle, his decision to continue playing worsened his condition. An MRI scan in August 2021 revealed complex tears in the anterior talofibular ligament and calcaneofibular ligament. At this time, Ancelotti's trust and Martin Ødegaard's departure should have opened the door of opportunity for him, but the long recovery period meant he didn't return to the field until early 2022.
Contract Renewal and the Cursed Preseason
In the second half of the season, Ceballos finally seized the opportunity and lifted the 14th Champions League trophy with the team. He was one of the key players in the comeback against Manchester City and even came on as a substitute in the final against Liverpool. People once again saw that technically proficient and aggressive midfield maestro—but this glory was as fleeting as a mirage. In the 22-23 season, he missed 21 days due to injury, yet still started 26 games, although he only got 79 minutes of playing time in the Champions League. Fortunately, his late-season outburst changed everything. "Bernabéu's recognition of him is very important," Ancelotti once commented. "Ceballos has done everything a player should do: be focused and professional. He is making the most of every minute I give him, and we are very satisfied with him."
Just before the contract renewal, this player from Utrera completely won over Bernabéu, with the chant of "Ceballos, stay!" echoing in the stands. However, the cycle of fate has once again descended. Just as his career was gaining momentum, his body issued another warning. In July 2023, only weeks after his contract renewal with the club until 2027, a distal tendon injury to his biceps femoris caused him to miss the US preseason. He, who had been full of fighting spirit and ready to compete with new signings like Bellingham, was once again confined to the infirmary. Obstacles resurfaced, and it was time to start over. This summer injury dealt a double blow to his body and mind, shattering his dream of proving himself at Real Madrid. He persevered through rehabilitation and finally made his comeback on September 27 in the game against Las Palmas at the Bernabéu, and then consecutively participated in three matches against Girona, Napoli, and Osasuna.
Ancelotti gave him time to find his rhythm, but a new setback struck again - in the 23-24 season, he only played 27 games (accumulating 864 minutes), and during the period from the Champions League Round of 16 to the final where they ultimately won the championship, he did not get another chance to play. Reality is harsh: Ceballos has never been able to secure consistent playing time commensurate with his talent. Injuries and fierce competition have hindered his ability to establish a firm foothold at Real Madrid, yet his professionalism and resilience have remained unwavering. Each season feels like starting from scratch, as if his career were a Persistent Challenge against time and fate. "I understand that there are important players in the team, but I started 24 out of 68 games last season and performed well," he confided in Cazorla at the start of the season. This lack of stability had recently improved until the latest injury struck - he will miss the games against Getafe and Juventus.