Thibaut Courtois, the eminent goalkeeper of Real Madrid, is facing a substantial setback after suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his left knee. As reported by the BBC, this unfortunate injury is likely to keep Courtois sidelined for a significant portion of the upcoming season.
The medical report released by Real Madrid CF on Thursday confirmed the ACL injury and indicated that the 31-year-old Belgium international will undergo surgery in the coming days. Courtois, who was named the world’s best goalkeeper at the Ballon d’Or awards, joined Real Madrid CF in 2018 and has since secured two La Liga titles with the team.
Having made 230 appearances for Real Madrid, Courtois has been an integral part of the team’s successes. However, this recent injury, which was reportedly sustained during training ahead of the La Liga opening game against Athletic Bilbao, is expected to have a prolonged recovery period. ACL injuries typically require a recovery timeline ranging from 6 months to a year.
Courtois’ absence leaves a void in the goalkeeper position for Real Madrid. Andriy Lunin is projected to take on the goalkeeping responsibilities, despite a noted slowing down of his progress and a reported decrease in his confidence compared to previous seasons, as indicated by Marca.
With Courtois out of action, the club is presented with the challenge of deciding whether to seek a new goalkeeper through the transfer market. The choice will likely hinge on the available options and the overall strategy for maintaining the team’s competitive edge.
