Militao on cloud nine for Champions League final after ACL recovery

MADRID : When Real Madrid centre back Eder Militao was forced out of their season opener against Athletic Bilbao on Aug. 12 after badly hyper-extending his left knee, he was sure his 2023-24 campaign was already over.

Five years after signing from Porto for 50 million euros ($54.27 million), Militao was in his prime and widely considered one of the best defenders in the world as a regular starter for both Real and Brazil.

However, as he lay on a hospital bed getting ready to undergo surgery to repair a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), Militao was only 'dreaming' of fulfilling the estimated recovery time of around 10 months before the 2024 Copa America was scheduled to begin.

The 26-year-old exceeded expectations, though, and recovered ahead of schedule, resuming full training seven months after the surgery and returning to club action in late March.

He said that 'not even in his wildest dreams' would he have seen himself in the position he is now, wearing his boots having taken part in Real's training a few days ahead of what will be his second Champions League final.

"I feel like I'm watching a movie," Militao told Reuters on Monday as Real Madrid prepare to face Borussia Dortmund at Wembley on Saturday.

"The injury came along at a time when I was feeling really well, on a physical and mental level. It all seems to have gone so quickly now, doesn't it? But for me, having gone through that period, it was very difficult and painful.

"Suddenly you are forced to stop doing everything you're used to doing in your routine and you're at home unable to do simple things on your own, having to depend on help of others to get up, to take a shower... As an athlete, it was a humbling experience..."

Militao said that solitude and