After 346 days on the sidelines following a serious ACL injury, Caroline Weir made her much-anticipated return to competitive football, and she did so in style.

The Scottish midfielder starred in Real Madrid’s victory over Espanyol on Friday, marking her first official match since her injury with an MVP-worthy performance.

Weir netted two goals and provided an assist in her 62 minutes on the pitch, a display that has been hailed as a triumphant return.

Weir’s ACL injury occurred during a match with the Scotland national team on 26 September 2023. The rupture of her left knee’s cruciate ligament required surgery, which she underwent on 17 October 2023.

She described her recovery process as a “roller coaster,” with many highs and lows over the nearly 12-month rehabilitation. Despite being spotted training on the Valdebebas pitch as early as February, Real Madrid took a cautious approach, ensuring she was fully fit before allowing her to return to competitive action.

In her first official appearance since the injury, Weir showed no signs of rust. Her two goals and assist helped Real Madrid to a comfortable win, and she was deservedly named the MVP.

“I had thought many times about the moment when I would play a competitive match again, and some days it felt like it would never come,” Weir said after the match. “But it has, and I am very happy to be back with this team and start the season with three points.”

Weir joined Real Madrid in the summer of 2022, after stints at clubs including Hibernian, Arsenal, Bristol Academy, Liverpool, and Manchester City.

Her first season in Madrid was nothing short of exceptional. She played in 42 of the 45 matches that Real Madrid contested, scoring 28 goals and providing 17 assists. This form prompted the club to extend her contract until 2026, ensuring her presence in their midfield for the foreseeable future.

Unfortunately, her second season was cut short by the ACL injury, limiting her to just three matches before the setback. Despite the difficult year, Weir’s return signals a fresh start for both her and Real Madrid.

“The rehabilitation is impeccable, but I tried my best to accept the challenge, and I’ve learned a lot along the way,” she said.

Weir’s contributions make her one of the key figures in Real Madrid’s women’s squad.

With 44 appearances, she is the club’s 25th most capped player and sits second in the all-time scoring chart with 30 goals.

Her return adds yet another weapon to Real Madrid’s growing arsenal as they look to challenge for major honours this season.