Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois is expected to be sidelined until after October’s international break due to an abductor injury in his left leg. This injury has raised concerns among fans and analysts alike, as it comes at a crucial time in the season when the team is looking to solidify their position in both La Liga and the Champions League.
Courtois sustained the injury during Sunday’s intense Madrid derby against Atletico, a match that ended in a 1-1 draw. Head coach Carlo Ancelotti confirmed post-match that Courtois had picked up a muscular problem that would require further assessment. The timing of this injury is particularly unfortunate, as it means the 32-year-old goalkeeper will miss important fixtures: Wednesday’s Champions League match against Lille and Saturday’s La Liga clash against Villarreal. However, there is optimism from the club that Courtois might be fit to return for the La Liga encounter against Celta Vigo on October 19, right after the international break.
In a statement released by the club, they noted, “Following tests carried out today on our player Thibaut Courtois by the Real Madrid medical services, he has been diagnosed with an abductor injury in his left leg.” This news comes after the goalkeeper had already started all 10 of Madrid’s matches in all competitions this season, impressively maintaining three clean sheets. His performance had been pivotal for the team, especially following an injury-plagued 2023-24 campaign where he missed a significant portion due to an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) issue. During his absence, Kepa Arrizabalaga and then Andriy Lunin took over the goalkeeping responsibilities.
Looking ahead, after the upcoming international break which is scheduled between October 7 and 15, Real Madrid will face critical matches against Celta Vigo in La Liga and Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League. Following these games, one of the most anticipated encounters awaits as Madrid goes head-to-head with Barcelona in the iconic El Clasico on October 26. It’s worth noting that Courtois was unlikely to be called up by Belgium for their Nations League fixtures against Italy and France, especially after he announced in August his decision to step back from international duty under coach Domenico Tedesco.
The Madrid derby itself was a tense affair, notably delayed for 15 minutes due to disruptions caused by Atletico Madrid supporters who threw objects, including lighters and a plastic bag filled with items, onto the pitch—a scene that further adds to the turbulent atmosphere surrounding such rivalries. Courtois, who has a history with Atletico after spending three years on loan there from Chelsea, was the target of this crowd hostility while defending his goal in the second half.
In addition to Courtois’ injury, Real Madrid’s squad has been plagued with other injury concerns this season. Players like Brahim Diaz and Dani Ceballos are currently sidelined, and Kylian Mbappe’s absence due to a thigh injury during the weekend’s draw with Atletico certainly adds to the team’s challenges moving forward. The coming weeks will test the depth and resilience of the Madrid squad as they navigate through key fixtures in both domestic and European competitions.
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