Real Madrid’s first-choice goalkeeper, Thibaut Courtois, has been officially ruled out of this weekend’s highly anticipated El Clásico against Barcelona due to an adductor injury in his left leg.
Sources have reported that Courtois may be sidelined for three to four weeks, with his recovery timeline depending on how the injury progresses.
Courtois, 32, first picked up the injury in late September during Real Madrid’s 1-1 draw against Atlético Madrid.
After spending two weeks recovering, he returned to action and played a key role in Real Madrid’s victories over Celta Vigo and Borussia Dortmund.
However, during the clash against Dortmund, Courtois suffered a recurrence of the injury, which has now forced him back on the sidelines.
In an official statement released by the club, Real Madrid confirmed the nature of the injury:
“Following tests carried out on our player Thibaut Courtois by Real Madrid’s medical services, he has been diagnosed with an adductor injury in his left leg. Pending evolution.”
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The timeline for his return remains uncertain, but sources within the club believe that Courtois is likely to miss not just El Clásico but also upcoming fixtures against Valencia and AC Milan.
His participation in the match against Osasuna also seems doubtful at this point.
Real Madrid is no stranger to managing Courtois’ adductor issues, having dealt with a similar injury twice last season.
However, his absence is a significant blow to the team’s defense, particularly given the high stakes of the upcoming matches.
El Clásico is not only one of the most-watched fixtures in world football but also crucial for the La Liga title race.
Real Madrid currently trails Barcelona by three points, and losing Courtois adds further challenges to their bid to close that gap.
Meanwhile, Carlo Ancelotti‘s team has also been hit by another injury setback. Brazilian forward Rodrygo sustained a hamstring injury during the Borussia Dortmund match, forcing him to be substituted in the second half.
Real Madrid released a statement confirming that Rodrygo had been diagnosed with a “muscle injury in the right femoral biceps,” and sources suggest he will be out for 15 to 20 days.
This means that Rodrygo will not only miss El Clásico but also several crucial fixtures in both La Liga and the UEFA Champions League.
With these key players unavailable, Real Madrid will need to rely on the depth of their squad as they prepare for a crucial run of games.
Backup goalkeeper Andriy Lunin is expected to take Courtois’ place between the posts, while the likes of Vinícius Júnior and Joselu will be tasked with stepping up in Rodrygo’s absence.
Despite these setbacks, Ancelotti will be hoping his side can rise to the occasion as they host Barcelona at the Bernabéu.
A win would see them pull level with their rivals at the top of the table, but with Courtois and Rodrygo out, the task has become significantly more difficult.
