Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has suffered a fresh knee injury which forced him to leave Tuesday’s training session in tears.
Courtois has not played for Madrid this season after tearing his ACL during the summer, but he had been training with the team over the past few days and was expected to return to action after March’s international break.
However, his chances of playing at all this season have been handed a huge blow after he suffered a new knee injury during training.
“After the tests carried out today on our player Thibaut Courtois, he has been diagnosed with a torn internal meniscus in his right knee,” a club statement read. “The injury occurred during today’s training session. Evolution pending.”
Importantly, the injury is not to the same knee which Courtois injured during pre-season.
Reports state that Courtois was immediately sent for scans which quickly determined that the goalkeeper had not suffered anything as severe as his ACL injury, but he is expected to be sidelined for at least six more weeks.
An absence of six weeks would see Courtois free to return in early May – La Liga’s final day is currently scheduled for May 26 – but that spell on the sidelines could be extended if the goalkeeper requires surgery.
In Courtois’ place, Andriy Lunin has shone this season. The Ukraine international is expected to be rewarded with a new contract, having fought off competition from loanee Kepa Arrizabalaga for the starting spot this season.
Kepa was recruited from Chelsea last summer after Courtois’ initial injury and immediately took the Belgian’s place in the team, only for a minor injury to open the door for Lunin, whose impressive form has ended suggestions Madrid could sign Kepa permanently this summer.
