MADRID, SPAIN - MAY 04: Daniel Carvajal and Dani Ceballos of Real Madrid celebrate their side's victory and progression to the UEFA Champions League Final after the UEFA Champions League Semi Final Leg Two match between Real Madrid and Manchester City at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on May 04, 2022 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

Injury strikes Arsenal flop as Real Madrid career was improving

May 9, 2022

Dani Ceballos will end the season for Real Madrid as he started it – on the sidelines with an injury – which is unfortunate for the former Arsenal man who was finally getting a chance.

VILLARREAL, SPAIN - APRIL 29: Dani Ceballos of Arsenal looks on during the UEFA Europa League Semi-final First Leg match between Villareal CF and Arsenal at Estadio de la Ceramica on April 29, 2021 in Villarreal, Spain. Sporting stadiums around Europe remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images) — VILLARREAL, SPAIN – APRIL 29: Dani Ceballos of Arsenal looks on during the UEFA Europa League Semi-final First Leg match between Villareal CF and Arsenal at Estadio de la Ceramica on April 29, 2021 in Villarreal, Spain. Sporting stadiums around Europe remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

Dani Ceballos looked certain to be leaving Real Madrid this summer then, seemingly out of nowhere, he started to get a chance with the first team.

Sub appearances became starts and praise arrived from all directions.

Now, however, he’s injured again, after starting the season with a serious ankle injury that he picked up at the Olympics.

This time, it’s not as serious, but the muscle injury that ruled him out of Real Madrid’s game at the weekend against Atletico Madrid has likely ended his season, although Dario AS think he might return in time for the Champions League against Liverpool, a competition he’s played 36 minutes in this season.

With that, he is also being linked with another move way, Real Betis back in the frame as they tend to be when Ceballos’ name comes up.

Ceballos will be out of contract in 2023 and Real Madrid need to make a decision sooner rather than later unless they want to lose him for free.