Real Madrid has been dealt a significant blow ahead of the upcoming season due to a major injury suffered by their key goalkeeper, Thibaut Courtois.
The setback was confirmed by Los Blancos, who revealed that Courtois, has sustained an injury to his anterior cruciate ligament. This injury is substantial enough to necessitate a surgical procedure, according to the official statement from the club.
Numerous sources have reported that the Belgian goalkeeper departed the training field in tears following a distressing injury. This regrettable injury to his anterior cruciate ligament holds significant consequences for Courtois, potentially keeping him out of action for an extended period. Initial assessments of the healing time suggest the possibility of his absence throughout the upcoming season.
BREAKING: Thibaut Courtois has broken his ACL. 🚨⚪️⚠️ #RealMadrid
“After the tests carried out on our player Thibaut Courtois, he’s been diagnosed with a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament of his left knee. The player will undergo surgery in the coming days”. pic.twitter.com/Eywu1KJ4fX
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 10, 2023
The news has sent shockwaves through Real Madrid’s devoted fanbase. The team, led by coach Carlo Ancelotti, now faces a predicament as they are left with only one goalkeeper in their squad—Andriy Lunin. Notably, Lunin has limited exposure to the demands of top-tier competition, raising concerns about his ability to perform consistently at such a high level.
Given this unexpected turn of events, Real Madrid needs to shift their attention to the transfer market. The club is actively pursuing the acquisition of a new goalkeeper to address this critical gap in their roster. The urgency is further magnified by the imminent start of the La Liga season, with Real Madrid’s opening fixture against Athletic Club scheduled for Saturday.
The team’s management will work diligently to secure a replacement before their second league match, slated for August 19 against Almeria.
David de Gea speculated to join Real Madrid after Thibaut Courtois injury
Early speculations strongly point towards Spanish free agent David de Gea as a potential solution for Real Madrid. With a solid track record spanning almost a decade, David de Gea offers a swift resolution with his proven top-level expertise. Notably, he clinched the Golden Glove award last season in the Premier League, boasting the highest number of clean sheets.
In a comparative analysis, it becomes evident that Thibaut Courtois holds a more commendable and dependable goalkeeping record when juxtaposed with David de Gea. However, the availability of David de Gea as a free agent could expedite the acquisition process for Real Madrid.
A notable factor is David de Gea’s potential interest in a move to Madrid, particularly considering his thwarted attempt to join Real Madrid back in 2015. The much-discussed fax incident marred this dream transfer when de Gea, then a Manchester United player, was set to transition to Real Madrid as his contract with United neared its expiration.
🚨 After Thibaut Courtois’ ACL injury, Real Madrid are now considering signing David De Gea on a FREE this season.
(Source: @RMadridistaReal) pic.twitter.com/hJO9772gZI
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) August 10, 2023
The climax of this narrative occurred in the eleventh hour before the transfer deadline. An agreement was in place for David de Gea to transfer to Real Madrid, with Keylor Navas moving in the opposite direction.
However, a fateful setback ensued – the crucial paperwork, essential for finalizing the move, failed to reach the La Liga offices due to a malfunctioning fax machine. The specific Spanish tax forms, a requisite for processing, could only be handled by this malfunctioning device.
Consequently, David de Gea remained at Manchester United, signing a new contract, while Real Madrid proceeded to secure Courtois during the summer of 2018. The pages of history were turned, altering the destinies of these two talented goalkeepers.