La Liga Gameweek 38
May 23, 2026 8.00pm
Estadio Santiago Bernabéu

Real Madrid injury, suspension list vs. Athletic Bilbao: Federico Valverde, Arda Guler, Andrey Lunin updates

Valverde, Guler, Lunin updates: Real Madrid injury, suspension news vs. Athletic

Real Madrid will conclude a disappointing season when they welcome Athletic Bilbao to the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday.

After losing 2-0 to rivals Barcelona in a Clasico that officially ended the title race, Real Madrid returned to winning ways against relegated Real Oviedo before they recorded a 1-0 victory over Sevilla at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan last weekend.

The second-placed side will attempt to make it three consecutive victories without conceding in what will be Alvaro Arbeloa's final game in the dugout. 

Here, Sports Mole rounds up Real Madrid's injury and suspension news ahead of the meeting with Athletic, who will want to produce a strong display in Ernesto Valverde's final match in charge. 


Federico Valverde

© Imago

Status: Minor doubt

Type of injury: Head

Possible return date: May 23 (vs. Athletic Bilbao)

Valverde has missed the last three games with the head injury that he suffered in a well-publicised altercation with Aurlien Tchouameni at Valdebebas, the club's training facility.

The current expectation is that the Uruguayan will make his return in the season finale against Athletic on Sunday. 


Andriy Lunin

Status: Minor doubt

Type of injury: Illness

Possible return date: May 23 (vs. Athletic Bilbao)

Real Madrid's backup goalkeeper, Lunin, will return to the squad after missing the last two matches due to illness. 


Arda Guler

Status: Out

Type of injury: Hamstring

Possible return date: Unknown

Guler has missed the last five matches with a hamstring injury. The Turkish international has recently returned to training, but with the World Cup set to start next month, he will not be risked in the final La Liga game of the season. 


Rodrygo

Status: Out

Type of injury: Knee

Possible return date: Unknown

Rodrygo has been ruled out of the World Cup and is at risk of missing the rest of the calendar year after suffering a serious knee injury at the start of March. 


Eder Militao

Status: Out

Type of injury: Hamstring

Possible return date: Unknown

Like Rodrgyo, Militao will also miss Brazil's World Cup campaign after suffering a serious hamstring injury in last month's win over Alaves. The centre-back has since undergone an operation and is now undergoing a lengthy rehabilitation process. 


Ferland Mendy

© Imago / IMAGO / DeFodi Images

Status: Out

Type of injury: Thigh

Possible return date: Unknown

Mendy could miss up to five months of action after sustaining a serious injury in Real Madrid's 2-0 win over Espanyol at the start of May. 


REAL MADRID'S SUSPENSION LIST

Real Madrid have no players suspended for the final game of the season. 

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