Real Madrid are set to sweat with Thibaut Courtois’ injury again having lost the footballer for almost the entirety of the 2023-24 campaign.
The Belgian shot-stopper has been ruled out again after Real Madrid’s 1-1 draw with Atletico Madrid in La Liga. The 2023-24 La Liga champions were held to a frustrating draw. Angel Correa grabbed a point for the host late in the game.
The Argentine international canceled out Eder Militao’s opener, by scoring a dagger in the dying embers of the extra time. The draw saw the team miss out on a chance to close up on league leaders Barcelona, who stumbled to their first defeat of the season against Osasuna.
Apart from dropping two points at the death, Thibaut Courtois’ injury compounded the worries of the European champions on a disappointing night at Civitas Metropolitano Stadium.
Reports from Real Madrid’s medical team confirmed the goalkeeper has an abductor injury in his left leg and would be out for the Whites till after the October international break.
Thibaut Courtois’ Injury history at Real Madrid
Thibaut Courtois’ injury history at Real Madrid has been grim. He struggled with fitness issues right from his first season with the club and was sidelined for 38 days due to hip and hamstring injuries, missing out on 8 games in the process.
Over the next three seasons, he enjoyed a relatively injury-free spell, missing just nine games in that run. In the 2022-23 season, he suffered three different injuries having sciatica issues along with hamstring and adductor problems. However, he only missed nine games that season.
Courtois’ worst injury blow came in the 2023-24 season. The goalkeeper had a crucial ligament tear during a training session and was ruled out for nearly a year. The injury saw him miss 42 games and was sidelined for 234 days. In all, the 32-year-old has been sidelined for 418 days since joining Madrid and missed 74 games.
Thibaut Courtois’ injury: possible impact on Real Madrid
Thibaut Courtois’ injury will be a big blow for Real Madrid. His influence on and off the field on the team has been phenomenal. Known for his proficiency in one-on-one situations, including deep experience in the game, the club will certainly miss his contributions.
However, Real Madrid fans are reveling in the hope of his quick return compared to last season’s lengthy layoff.
The Belgian is expected to miss Real Madrid’s Champions League clash against French side Lille and the league match against Villarreal. He is expected to be back against Madrid’s first opponent after the International break, Celta Vigo.
Thibaut Courtois’ injury: Replacement options for Carlo Ancelotti
While the loss of Courtois is a big blow, Ancelotti has another set of safe hands on the bench in Andriy Lunin.
The Ukrainian was magnificent for Real Madrid last season, following Courtois’s lengthy injury. He played a huge part in the team’s Champions League and La Liga win last season. Lunin is already being seen as the future successor of the Belgian.
Thibaut Courtois Real Madrid career
Off an incredible performance in the 2018 World Cup, Thibaut Courtois joined Real Madrid from Chelsea for £34m on a six-year contract.
The Belgian wasted no time in making himself the undisputed number one. He won the Zamora trophy as the league’s best goalkeeper in his second season at the club.
Courtois registered a string of amazing performances with the club. His most notable showing was a man-of-the-match display against Liverpool in the 2022 Champions League final.
He has featured 245 times for the club and has won a total of 11 trophies with them. His silverware collection with the club includes two La Liga titles, two Uefa Champions League, two UEFA Super Cups, a Copa Del Rey, a FIFA Club World Cup, and two Spanish Super Cups.
