Real Madrid was dealt another blow today as Thibaut Courtois, who was on the verge of coming back from his ACL injury, suffered a new knee injury. The 31-year-old goalkeeper, who has been sidelined for the entire season, was expected to return by the end of the month after the international break.
However, during today’s training session, Courtois sustained a torn meniscus in his right knee, which led to him leaving the field distressed. Initial concerns arose when Courtois mentioned feeling a ‘crack’ during training, indicating a potentially severe injury.
Subsequent scans showed that the damage was not as bad as initially feared. Still, Mario Cortegana revealed that Courtois will need surgery to address this setback, although it’s expected to be less complicated than the ACL surgery he underwent last year. The upcoming operation will primarily focus on cleaning the affected area rather than extensive repairs.
A source close to the player mentioned that Courtois had his meniscus stitched in 2015, and now those stitches have ruptured. Updates on Courtois’ condition are expected soon, but it seems his season is effectively over. The report suggests that he could face around seven weeks of recovery time, potentially making him available for a return by early May.
With Real Madrid’s last La Liga fixture scheduled for May 26 and the UEFA Champions League final on June 1, the club faces a crucial decision about Courtois’ involvement in the final phase of the season, balancing the option of his potential return against prioritizing his recovery for the upcoming campaign.