Official: Real Madrid confirm muscle injury to veteran superstar, out for six weeks | OneFootball

Real Madrid’s preparations for a crucial stretch of the season have taken a serious hit, with Thibaut Courtois now officially ruled out after the club confirmed the extent of his injury.

There had already been concern following the goalkeeper’s discomfort in recent hours, but the situation has now been clarified after medical tests were carried out. 

The club released an official statement confirming the diagnosis, putting an end to any uncertainty. In their update, Real Madrid stated,

Following tests carried out today on our player Thibaut Courtois by the Real Madrid Medical Services, he has been diagnosed with a muscle injury in the rectus femoris of his right quadriceps. His recovery will be monitored.”

After the match against Manchester City, early assessments had already raised doubts about the severity of the problem. 

Courtois continued to feel significant pain, which prompted further investigation. 

As a result, the club scheduled a more detailed examination the following morning to determine the exact nature of the injury.

Courtois will be out for six weeks. (Photo by Jose Manuel Alvarez Rey/Getty Images)

The MRI results have now confirmed those concerns.

What was initially feared to be a simple strain has turned out to be a proper muscle injury. 

Problem for Real Madrid

The recovery timeline is expected to keep Courtois out for around six weeks, a period that could prove decisive in Real Madrid’s season, and the timing could hardly be worse.

The Belgian is now set to miss the upcoming Madrid derby, but the impact goes far beyond domestic competition. 

He is also expected to be unavailable for both legs of the Champions League quarter-final against Bayern Munich, and potentially even the semi-finals if Madrid progress.

That leaves Andriy Lunin with a major responsibility.

The Ukrainian goalkeeper has already shown he can step up when needed, but replacing a player of Courtois’ stature, especially in high-stakes European fixtures, is never straightforward.