Courtois returns to team training with Real Madrid

Goalkeeper Real Madrid Thibaut Courtoisaccording to Spanish media reports, is returning to training with the team.

Let us remind you that the Belgian tore the cruciate ligament in his left knee during training in August, after which he underwent knee surgery. It was previously reported that the player does not want to force his return in order to better prepare for the new season. Courtois was ready to miss the 2024 European Championship.

Later it became known that the rate of Thibault’s recovery was ahead of the predicted time frame. Courtois was preparing to play at the end of this season. On March 1, Ancelotti suggested that the Belgian, like his injured teammate Eder Militao, would be able to return to action in the second half of April.

During Courtois’ injury, Madrid loaned Kepa Arrizabalaga from Chelsea. In the new year, the competition from the Spaniard is won by the Ukrainian Andrei Lunin, with whom the Real Madrid management intends to extend the contract. Andrey has already played more matches this season (20) than his Spanish competitor, while showing better statistical indicators – 16 missed goals, nine clean sheets.

The Ukrainian’s performance was repeatedly noted by both the coach and club president Florentino Perez. The latter promised Lunin that even if Courtois was healthy, he would receive some playing practice – for example, in the Champions League and the Spanish Cup. At the same time, according to some information, Newcastle is interested in Andrey’s services, ready to pay the goalkeeper of the Ukrainian national team twice as much as the Madrid club.

Real are leading the La Liga, seven points ahead of closest pursuers Girona. Tomorrow, March 6, Blancos will play RB Leipzig in the second leg of the Champions League playoffs. In the first meeting, the team, with great help from Lunin, won a minimal away victory (1:0).