Álex Pastor returns after eleven months sidelined

After 348 days without stepping on the pitch, Álex Pastor returned to competitive action in the Trofeo Ciudad de Ceuta. The Málaga CF defender played 35 minutes in the second half in a match that ended in a 2-1 defeat for the Málaga side at the Alfonso Murube.

The last time the player had competed was in August 2025, when he played the full 90 minutes against Real Sociedad's B team. Shortly afterwards, he suffered a serious injury during a training session: complete anterior cruciate ligament tear, medial meniscus damage and mild medial collateral ligament involvement. A triple injury that essentially ended his 2025-26 season.

Málaga had to remove him from the registration list to make room within their quota limits, but never lost faith in him. In fact, the club extended his contract until 2028, demonstrating their commitment to the defender's future. According to MARCA, Pastor now faces a race against time: regaining match fitness, confidence and feel for the game. Coach Funes gradually gave him playing time, something that will be key in the coming weeks.