Before the start of the new La Liga season, favorite Real Madrid received bad news. The team’s experienced goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has suffered a serious injury to his left knee ligament in practice and has been sidelined.
The 31-year-old Belgian goalkeeper is expected to be sidelined for a long time. Club sources also said that he may have to sit on the surgery table for this. In a statement, Madrid said, “Thibaut Courtois’ knee examination revealed a serious injury.”
However, Madrid did not give any details about how long he will have to rest. However, various Spanish media claims that he may have to spend most of the season out of the field.
Courtois suffered the injury during Thursday morning’s practice session. He was seen crying while leaving the field. Ukrainian goalkeeper Andriy Lunin is getting a chance in his place. Madrid take on Athletic Bilbao in their first match of the season on Saturday.
Courtois joined Madrid from Chelsea after the World Cup in 2018. He then helped Madrid win two La Liga titles and the Champions League title in the 2021-22 season.
Courtois’ injury has left coach Carlo Ancelotti without two reliable players to start the new season after Karim Benzema moved to Saudi Arabia.
Courtois won the Yassin Trophy last year as the best goalkeeper in the world. The 24-year-old Lunin, who was given a chance in the first team instead, has played 17 matches since joining Madrid with Corto.
Due to the fear of injury, Courtois will have to wait for the fitness of 2024 euros. Courtois has played 102 international matches for Belgium so far. The star goalkeeper refused to play in June’s Euro qualifier against Estonia after losing the captaincy.
(11 August/MM)