Key Takeaways:
- On Thursday, Real Sociedad confirmed Mikel Oyarzabal sustained a hamstring injury to his left leg
- The captain has played in all 13 La Liga rounds so far, scoring five goals
- Oyarzabal will miss upcoming fixtures against Villarreal, Reus, and Alavés, with further absences possible before Christmas
Oyarzabal Forced to the Sidelines Amidst Heavy Schedule
Real Sociedad’s attacking options have taken a significant hit with the club announcing Mikel Oyarzabal’s muscle injury. The captain, who has featured relentlessly for both club and country in recent weeks, has suffered a hamstring issue in his left leg. Real Sociedad released an official statement: “Tests conducted today on Mikel Oyarzabal by the Real Sociedad medical team confirm a muscle injury in the hamstring of his left leg. His recovery will determine when he will be available.”
🏥 Parte médico: Mikel Oyarzabal.
— Real Sociedad Fútbol (@RealSociedad) November 27, 2025
Reliability on the Pitch and Upcoming Absences
Oyarzabal has been indispensable for Real Sociedad thus far, appearing in each of the 13 La Liga matches played to date. He played the full 90 minutes in every match with the exception of the 2nd and 3rd rounds, where he was substituted in the 72nd and 78th minutes respectively. He has recorded five goals in the competition. For the Spanish national side under Luis de la Fuente, Oyarzabal has remained a regular presence, featuring even when results were virtually assured.
His injury now rules him out for key matches, including the upcoming league fixture against Villarreal, the cup tie against Reus, and the encounter with Alavés. In addition, Real Sociedad have matches scheduled before the Christmas break against Girona and Levante, which might also be without their captain depending on his recovery progress.
Striking Options Diminishing for La Real
Real Sociedad’s attacking depth is severely impacted, as Oskarssón and Karrikaburu are also sidelined through injury. This leaves Sadiq as the only available out-and-out striker in the squad. Any lingering uncertainty over the necessity of strengthening the frontline during the winter transfer period appears to have been settled by Oyarzabal’s absence. The club are now faced with an urgent need for reinforcements with several crucial fixtures on the horizon.
