Real Madrid's academy enforces 'Rachad Rule' after injury setbacks
La Fábrica introduces strict new protocols for youth players returning from muscle injuries, requiring two weeks of group training before competitive clearance.
A series of injury setbacks at Real Madrid’s Valdebebas training complex has prompted a significant overhaul of medical protocols for academy players recovering from long-term muscle injuries.
The Final Straw
The latest relapse suffered by Castilla forward Rachad Fettal has been the proverbial straw that broke the camel’s back at Valdebebas. The summer signing, brought in as the cherry on top of Álvaro Arbeloa’s first project in charge of the reserve team, has managed just two official appearances all season due to a serious muscle injury and two subsequent relapses.
The timeline of Fettal’s fitness nightmare reads like a proper horror story:
- September: Initial muscle injury affecting a tendon while on Spain U20 duty
- Late October: First relapse during recovery
- Early January: Second relapse on the very day of his return after four months out
This latest incident, combined with other cases causing medical tension at the training complex (including youth player Marco Company), has forced the club’s hand.
The New Protocol
Fettal’s situation “shook the foundations” of La Fábrica, coinciding with a medical restructuring following Niko Mihic’s return to oversee Real Madrid’s medical services.
Amid this period of change and protocol adjustments, a key decision has been implemented: academy players recovering from long-term muscle injuries must now complete a minimum two-week period training with the group before receiving competitive clearance. This differs from the first team, which operates under separate timeframes and protocols.
First Cases Under the New Rule
This ‘Rachad Rule’ is already being applied to players in similar circumstances:
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Roberto Martín, a midfielder who suffered a comparable tendon-related injury, became the first to experience the extended group training period. He finally played his first minutes with Madrid C on January 25th after being sidelined since mid-October.
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Manu Serrano represents another case. The Castilla defender has been seen training with teammates but must complete the mandatory two-week group training period before receiving final clearance. He’s expected to be available for selection this weekend against Pontevedra – welcome news for coach Julián López de Lerma, who regains a defensive pillar who was in top form before his December injury.
The bread and butter of any successful academy is keeping your top talents fit, and Madrid are taking no chances after this string of setbacks.