Courtois leaves training in tears after suffering ACL injury
The Belgian will undergo surgery during the next few days
Real Madrid’s star goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois left training in tears on Thursday after suffering an Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury.
Courtois' left knee turned when he went to pick up a ball in the final training game.
The Belgian will undergo surgery during the next few days.
“After the tests carried out on our player Thibaut Courtois, he’s been diagnosed with a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament of his left knee. The player will undergo surgery in the coming days,” Real Madrid said in a brief statement.
According to The Athletic's Mario Cortegana, Courtois is likely to miss the entire season. He added that the best-case scenario for the goalkeeper is returning to the pitch in April.
The 31-year-old has been a key member of Real's side since joining from Chelsea in 2018. He has made 230 appearances for the Spanish club, winning two La Liga titles and one Champions League.
Backup goalkeeper Andriy Lunin could replace Courtois in the starting lineup with Real Madrid set to face Athletic Club in their first La Liga match of the new season on August 13.
The 24-year-old Ukraine international featured in 12 games last season for Real Madrid. He has made nine La Liga appearances for the club since moving from Shakhtar Donetsk in 2018. He has also been on loan spells with Leganes, Real Valladolid and Real Oviedo.
The Whites could consider signing another goalkeeper in this transfer window if Lunin doesn't performance in accordance with expectations.
"Real Madrid are prepared to enter the goalkeeper market," renowned journalist Fabrizio Romano said soon after the development.
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