Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois to miss season due to ACL injury

Thibaut Courtois, the goalkeeper for Real Madrid, has suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)  in his left knee and will probably miss the majority of the season, the BBC reported.

The Real Madrid CF released Thibaut Courtois' medical report on Thursday announcing the 31-year-old Belgium international's ACL injury and said that he will soon have surgery.

The report read: "Following tests carried out on Thibaut Courtois, the player has been diagnosed with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee. The player will undergo surgery in the coming days."

Thibaut Courtois, named the world's best goalkeeper at the Ballon d'Or awards, has won Spain's La Liga twice since joining Real Madrid CF in 2018.

He has made 230 appearances for Real, who play Athletic Bilbao in their first La Liga game of the season on Saturday.

According to AS USA, Courtois suffered a knee injury while training ahead of the La Liga opening game against Athletic Bilbao.

His team revealed that his cruciate ligament issue could lead to a significant time on the sidelines as it generally has a very long recovery time, anywhere from 6 months to a year.

Moreover, Courtois, who had previously been lucky enough to avoid significant injuries throughout his career, participated in 43 matches in Spain, the Champions League, and the Copa del Rey, firmly establishing his position as a key player in Real Madrid's quest for European success.

With Thibaut Courtois out, Andriy Lunin is expected to handle the goalkeeping duties, despite his progress slowing down. Additionally, Lunin does not seem to be as confident as he was in prior seasons, according to Marca.

The most logical course of action would seem to be to sign a new goalkeeper, but the choice ultimately depends on the transfer market's actual options.