The number of matches Real Madrid star will miss as injury rules him out for six weeks | OneFootball

Real Madrid’s season has taken a serious hit at the worst possible time.

Thibaut Courtois, one of the most reliable players in the squad and arguably the backbone of the team this season, has been officially ruled out with a muscle injury in the rectus femoris of his right quadriceps. 

What initially looked like a possible strain has now been confirmed as something more significant, and the timing could not be more damaging. 

Courtois will be sidelined for around six weeks, meaning he is set to miss a crucial stretch of fixtures across both La Liga and the Champions League. 

Matches Courtois will miss

The first major absence will come this weekend, as the Belgian goalkeeper will not be available for the Madrid derby against Atletico Madrid. 

Unfortunately, that is just the beginning of a long list of games he is expected to miss.

In La Liga, Courtois is set to sit out matches against Mallorca, Girona, Alaves and Real Betis, in addition to the derby. That alone is a demanding run, but the bigger concern lies in Europe.

Courtois will miss the UCL quarter-finals. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)

Furthermore, Real Madrid will have to face Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarterfinals without their first-choice goalkeeper for both legs.

And that is where the situation becomes even more delicate.

Even under an optimistic recovery timeline, Courtois’ return would fall right on the edge of a potential semifinal. 

It is not guaranteed because it is a race against time. The only certainty is that he will not be part of the quarterfinal tie.

There is, however, a longer-term positive.

If everything goes to plan, Courtois should be back in time for the final stretch of the league season, including a Clasico scheduled in roughly eight weeks. 

His absence will also be felt internationally, although to a lesser extent. Belgium are set to play two friendlies against the United States and Mexico this month, fixtures that do not carry the same weight as competitive matches.