Real Madrid’s Secret Weapon to End Injury Crisis – The Carvajal Plan Revealed | OneFootball

Real Madrid is working to combat the plague of injuries that has affected the team in recent seasons. The key to this strategy lies in the work of nutritionist and physiotherapist Itziar González de Arriba, whose method has revolutionised the recovery and prevention of injuries in players.

Itziar González de Arriba arrived at Real Madrid at the beginning of this season, endorsed by the transformation of Dani Carvajal. In the past, the Real Madrid captain suffered endless muscle injuries which, despite his long career, caused him to miss important Real Madrid matches and major tournaments with the Spanish national team, to the point that last year he played in his first major tournament with La Roja (Eurocup). His physical transformation and stamina were remarkable thanks to the implementation of Itziar’s approach. Unfortunately, the knee injury he is now suffering has nothing to do with muscle or eating problems.

The Whites are now looking to extend this plan to their entire squad to reduce time off and improve overall performance.

More than 40 muscle injuries since July 2023

Real Madrid players have suffered more than 40 muscle injuries since the summer of 2023, one of the main reasons why Itziar was signed by the club. Lucas Vázquez, Rudiger, Alaba, Camavinga, Mbappé, Bellingham, Ceballos, Modric, Vallejo, Mendy, Rodrygo, Brahim, Courtois, Guler, Tchouaméni… all of them have suffered more than one injury in the last two seasons of the white club, and these injuries continue to be a problem, as seen in the match against Manchester City,

A transformation that takes time

Despite the fact that muscle injuries are still the order of the day for the Whites, it seems that these have been reducing since Christmas. As Real Madrid explain, the transformation cannot possibly happen overnight. The changes introduced by Itziar González take time for the players to assimilate. Since her arrival, each player has a personalised plan, and it is up to them to follow it to the letter.

We are talking about physiogenomics, which allows for a more personalized view of the players’ health. By analyzing the influence of nutrition on the body, specific plans are designed to improve recovery and prevent injuries.

As the months go by, the transformation of the footballers should be evident. If the deadlines are met, it is hoped that the players will begin to notice the real effects of the new system at the end of the current season, and that the total transformation will be perceived from next season onwards. Some members of the team say that “injuries are going to be drastically reduced and the players will finish the game feeling much less tired”.

Total confidence in the project

Real Madrid believes in Itziar González’s method 100% and has entrusted her with feeding the squad. Proof of this is that the nutritionist has not been the only signing in this sense in the team. Given the workload and the trust placed in her, since December the team has been expanded, and Itziar has brought in some of her trusted team to work every day and hand in hand with each of the members of the Real Madrid squad to supervise their daily diet.

Itziar González’s team is clear about one thing: the footballers are key to the success of this project, and they claim that their physical resistance and muscular strength will improve significantly, something that will be noticeable in the final stretch of the season.

Dani Carvajal is a good example of this: until he suffered a knee injury, he seemed to be the fittest player in the squad. He was key in Real Madrid’s last Champions League, offering a performance never seen before, and also in the European Championship that Spain won last summer, a performance that led to the best season of his career and a place in the top 5 for the Ballon d’Or.

Itziar’s method could mark a before and after in professional football and at Real Madrid thanks to a vision based on science and personalization.