Article by Daniel Scorpie – Published Wednesday, March 18, 2026, 12:15 p.m. / Updated Wednesday, March 18, 2026 12:21 p.m.
Thibaut Courtois (33 years old) is, along with goalscorer Kylian Mbappe, essential this season for real madrid. It's just that after the return with Manchester City in the “eighth” Champions League (2-1), the formidable Belgian goalkeeper will be forced to take a break, due to some adductor problems. Coach Alvaro Arbeloa still has five defenders out for Sunday's game against Atletico.
He has only missed one game this season due to medical issues. Thibaut Courtois was absent only with Olympiakos in the single group of the Champions League, citing a gastrointestinal virus, in the King of Spain Cup matches, with Talavera and Albacete, not being called as a technical decision of Xabi Alonso and Alvaro Arbeloa respectively.
Eder Militão, Raul Asensio, Ferland Mendy, Alvaro Carreras, Dani Ceballos, Rodrygo and David Alaba, out at Real Madrid!
After almost a year since the previous game in which he was injured, the duel with Valencia (1-2), on April 5, 2025, the Belgian goalkeeper misses a La Liga game.
Because it is hard to imagine that it will be otherwise, after he defended a half on Tuesday at the “Etihad” (injured!), in the 2-1 with Manchester City, being replaced at half-time by Andriy Lunin.
Thibaut Courtois, here with a sensational reflex on Haaland // photo: Imago Images
Just as Kylian Mbappe has been a key contributor to Real Madrid's results, with 38 goals in 34 games this season, Courtois was indeed an indispensable number 1 for los blancos. Only he had escaped from the whole team's defensive team at the “Santiago Bernabeu”!
With the injury to the adductors of the right leg of the giant Belgian, Real Madrid reached eight unavailable. He will be re-examined by the club's doctors in the next few hours to assess the exact severity of the injury.
15games with an untouched goal Real Madrid has this season with Thibaut Courtois. The Belgian received 39 goals in the 41 matches played
Real Madrid's list of unavailable players continues to grow, with Courtois joining the ranks of those still on the mend: Éder Militão, Raúl Asensio, Ferland Mendy, Álvaro Carreras, Dani Ceballos, Rodrygo Goes, Jude Bellingham and David Alaba. No less than five defenders are out at this moment!
Courtois' absence brings great concern ahead of the Champions League “quarter-finals” double leg with Bayern
The last two traveled to Manchester with the team, but Alvaro Arbeloa had specified that none of them would play. The Englishman could return for Sunday's derby against Atlético Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Ferland Mendy was injured at the end of April // photo: Imago Images
The double leg with Manchester City took its toll on Real Madrid who, as if that wasn't enough, picked up two more injuries. First it was Ferland Mendy, right hamstring strain, now Courtois has joined the injured list.
The Spanish press writes that “the absence of Courtois is undoubtedly a major concern in view of the future “double” in the “quarters” of the Champions League with Bayern Munich and the last part of the championship”.
