Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois is expected to be sidelined until after October’s international break with an abductor injury in his left leg.
Courtois sustained the injury during Sunday’s Madrid derby, with head coach Carlo Ancelotti confirming at full time he had picked up a muscular problem and would be assessed.
The injury means the 32-year-old is set to miss Wednesday’s Champions League fixture against Lille and Saturday’s La Liga match against Villarreal. Those at the club expect him to return for the La Liga fixture against Celta Vigo on October 19.
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A Real Madrid statement read: “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.”
Courtois has started all 10 of Madrid’s matches in all competitions this season, keeping three clean sheets. He missed the majority of the 2023-24 campaign due to an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, with Kepa Arrizabalaga and then Andriy Lunin deputising in his absence.
Following the upcoming international break, which takes place between October 7 and 15, Madrid play Celta Vigo in La Liga and Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League. Ancelotti’s side then face Barcelona in El Clasico on October 26. Courtois was unlikely to be called up by Belgium for their Nations League games against Italy and France after announcing in August that he would not play for his country under Domenico Tedesco.
Sunday’s Madrid derby finished in a 1-1 draw and was delayed for 15 minutes after objects, including lighters and plastic bag with items in it, were thrown from Atletico supporters behind the goal that Courtois — who played for Atletico on loan from Chelsea for three years earlier in his career — was defending in the second half.
Madrid have already contended with a number of injury concerns this season, with Brahim Diaz and Dani Ceballos both sidelined and Kylian Mbappe missing the weekend’s draw with Atletico due to a thigh injury.
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(Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images)
