(Football news) The 32-year-old was absent against Lille and Villarreal before the recent international break due to an adductor problem, but he returned to action against Celta Vigo and then played the full 90 minutes of Tuesday’s Champions League clash with Borussia Dortmund.

Real Madrid have confirmed a fresh setback for the Belgian, though, and according to journalist Mario Cortegana, the experienced stopper is likely to be on the sidelines for the next two to three weeks.

As a result, Courtois is not expected to be back on the field until after the November international break, meaning that he would be absent for his side’s next four matches in all competitions.

Real Madrid will tackle Barcelona in El Clasico this weekend, while they will also face Valencia, AC Milan, and Osasuna before returning to action against Leganes on November 24 after the final international break of the year.

Courtois suffers adductor injury against Dortmund

“Following tests carried out on our player Thibaut Courtois by the Real Madrid Medical Services, he has been diagnosed with an injury to the adductor muscle of his left leg. Pending development,” read a statement from Real Madrid.

Courtois’ absence will open the door for Andriy Lunin to start against Barcelona in El Clasico this weekend.

Lunin was Real Madrid’s number one for the majority of last season due to Courtois’ long-term knee injury, and the 25-year-old is now set for a run in the side while the club’s first-choice stopper recovers.

Which other Real Madrid players will miss El Clasico?

Real Madrid will again definitely be without the services of Dani Carvajal and David Alaba against Barcelona due to long-term knee injuries.

Carvajal will miss the entirety of the 2024-25 campaign, but there is hope that Alaba, who suffered his injury against Villarreal last December, could return to the field in the early stages of 2025.

Brahim Diaz has a slight chance of being back in the squad, with the Morocco international making strong progress in his recovery from an abductor issue, which was initially expected to keep him out until the end of November.

Real Madrid are likely to be missing Rodrygo, though, as the Brazilian was forced off against BVB on Tuesday with a thigh problem.

Los Blancos are yet to confirm the extent of the injury, but he is highly likely to be absent against Barcelona, which could lead to Jude Bellingham operating as the number 10 behind a front two of Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe.

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