Thibaut Courtois is ruled out and won’t start for Real Madrid against Atletico Madrid today on 2025-26 LaLiga Matchday 29 due to a muscle injury sustained earlier in the season. Follow Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid live with us and don’t miss a single thing!
The team confirmed that the goalkeeper suffered a quadriceps muscle tear during their recent match, and medical staff expect him to be sidelined for several weeks. His injury is one of the most consequential on the club’s medical list.
The defender’s absence in goal marks a significant shift for Alvaro Arbeloa’s team heading into this crucial derby and comes at a pivotal time in their title chase. The staff have hinted that backup goalkeeper Andriy Lunin will take the starting role.
What happened to Thibaut Courtois?
Thibaut Courtois is currently sidelined with a muscular injury in the rectus femoris of his right quadriceps, which is why Courtois was subbed off during Real Madrid’s recent Champions League match against Manchester City, according to the club’s medical staff.
Thibaut Courtois of Real Madrid warms up prior to the 2026 UEFA Champions League match (Source: Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)
Madrid confirmed the Belgian goalkeeper suffered a quadriceps muscle tear — specifically in the rectus femoris — during the first half of their Champions League game against Manchester City, forcing him off at halftime and out of upcoming matches.
The injury was diagnosed after scans conducted by Real Madrid’s medical staff, who have ruled him out for the foreseeable future while they assess and manage his recovery. Early reports describe it as significant enough to keep him out.
This setback adds to a pattern of muscular issues for Courtois since recovering from past knee problems, highlighting concerns about his physical condition earlier in the campaign.
When will Thibaut Courtois play again?
Thibaut Courtois is expected to be out of action for approximately six to eight weeks, meaning he won’t play again until late April or early May at the earliest.
If the injury follows the standard healing curve for this type of muscle tear, he could miss key matches including Real Madrid’s LaLiga fixtures (like the derby against Atletico Madrid) and Champions League ties against Bayern Munich.
His return might line up with games in late April or beyond, though the team is cautious and monitoring his progress week to week. Right now, no exact comeback date has been officially confirmed.
