Real Madrid is in a last-minute panic to find a new goalkeeper as the 2023-24 season starts this weekend due to a shocking ACL injury from Thibaut Courtois.



Before Saturday’s <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/la-liga-tv-schedule/">La Liga</a> season opener against <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/athletic-bilbao-tv-schedule-for-us-viewers/">Athletic Club</a>, Thibaut Courtois got <a href="https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/38165938/real-madrid-eye-new-gk-courtois-injures-acl-sources">injured</a> in training and left in tears. The Madrid medical staff has determined that their No.1 shot-stopper ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament and will need surgery in the coming days.



The 31-year-old showed off his injured left leg in a subsequent Instagram post, which was elevated and bandaged up, confirming the seriousness of the injury. After the news broke, he turned to social media to express his gratitude to his supporters.



“You never expect to go through something like this but now it’s time to accept it and do everything to overcome it and come back even stronger. Thank you all for the energy, love, and encouragement, I assure you that they motivate me to recover as soon as possible”, he tweeted.



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<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Nunca esperas pasar por algo como esto pero ahora toca aceptarlo y hacer todo para superarlo y volver aún más fuerte. Gracias a todos por la energía, el cariño y lo ánimos, os aseguro que me motivan para recuperarme cuanto antes. 🤍 <a href="https://t.co/Z30SEVhI7d">pic.twitter.com/Z30SEVhI7d</a>— Thibaut Courtois (@thibautcourtois) <a href="https://twitter.com/thibautcourtois/status/1689668296486858752?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 10, 2023</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<h2>Andriy Lunin is sole alternative for Madrid after Courtois ACL injury</h2>



Recovering from a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is a lengthy process because of the severity of the damage. <a href="https://theathletic.com/4765037/2023/08/10/thibaut-courtois-real-madrid-injury/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Athletic</a> reports that there are conflicting expectations for Courtois’ return to action this season. Some in Spain believe he might play again as early as April. Others believe Courtois could miss the entire season due to his ACL injury.



With the Belgian goalie likely out for the season, backup Andriy Lunin should take his place in the lineup. However, due to the 24-year-old’s lack of top-level experience, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/real-madrid-tv-schedule/">Real Madrid</a> may have to look elsewhere for a new goalkeeper.



<h5>David de Gea could finally fulfill Bernabeu dream</h5>



Spanish publication <a href="https://www.marca.com/futbol/real-madrid/2023/08/10/64d4d81522601dda148b456f.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Marca</a> recently published a potential list of potential new keepers for Carlo Ancelotti’s squad. Meanwhile, <a href="https://www.skysports.com/transfer/news/12691/12937354/david-de-gea-real-madrid-make-contact-with-former-man-utd-goalkeeper-after-thibaut-courtois-injury" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sky Sports</a> claims that the Spanish giants have wasted little time in finding a replacement for Courtois.



A source close to the situation claims that Los Blancos have already made contact with David de Gea’s entourage. After <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/manchester-united-tv-schedule/">Manchester United</a> dropped a previously agreed-upon contract offer, the Spaniard <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/david-de-gea-confirms-manchester-united-exit-after-12-seasons-20230708-WST-442127.html">left for free</a> this summer.



Given his extensive background, excellent skill level, and low price, he may be the best option. Since Real’s effort to bring De Gea to the Santiago Bernabeu in 2015 <a href="https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/37431969/real-madrid-explain-david-de-gea-transfer-failure">failed</a>, it seems that this time around may be the charm.



PHOTO: IMAGO / Action Plus

Thibaut Courtois tore his ACL in training two days before Real Madrid began its LaLiga season, leaving the squad in a rush to replace him.

Real Madrid lose Courtois to ACL injury: Who will replace him?

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Paris (AFP) – Real Madrid pair Karim Benzema and Thibaut Courtois and Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne were on Friday shortlisted for the UEFA Men’s Player of the Year award.
The European body of European football said that a jury made up of journalists &nbsp;and representatives of clubs playing in European competitions voted for the trio from a list of 15.
Polish striker Robert Lewandowski was fourth on the ballot and just missed out.
The award will be presented on August 25 during the draw for the Champions League group stage.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Real won the Spanish Liga and the Champions League.
Benzema was named Champions League Player of the Season after scoring 15 goals in the competition, including three in Real’s semi-final victory over Manchester City.
When he scored Real’s second goal against Frankfurt &nbsp;on Wednesday in the European Supercup, Benzema became the club’s second-highest scorer in history with 324 goals, behind Cristiano Ronaldo.
Courtois was spectacular as Real edged Liverpool 1-0 in the final and was named player of the match.&nbsp;
De Bruyne made the shortlist for the third straight year after inspiring City to the Premier League &nbsp;title.
Jorginho won the title last year after winning the Champions League with&nbsp;Chelsea and the delayed Euro 2020 with Italy.
UEFA also announced the three nominees for coach of the year
They are Real Madrid’s Carlo Ancelotti, Man City’s Josep Guardiola and the man they had to beat to win their biggest titles last season: Liverpool’s Juergen Klopp.

Benzema, Courtois and De Bruyne nominated for UEFA award

Benzema, Courtois and De Bruyne nominated for UEFA award - World Soccer Talk

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Paris (AFP) – If Real Madrid’s Champions League final win in 2018 was remembered for a nightmare performance by Loris Karius in the Liverpool goal, the Spanish club’s victory over the same opponents in Paris on Saturday was in no small part down to the heroics of Thibaut Courtois.
The Belgian showed the importance of having a top-class goalkeeper as he produced a string of crucial saves to deny Jurgen Klopp’s side and help Real seal a 1-0 win that allowed them to lift their 14th European Cup.
“When a goalkeeper is man of the match you know something is going wrong for the other team,” admitted Klopp ruefully.
Vinicius Junior may have got the only goal at the Stade de France just before the hour mark, but Real’s victory would not have been possible without Courtois.
He was credited with a total of nine saves, including a superb strong arm to turn behind a Mohamed Salah strike late on and, perhaps most importantly, a fine early stop to turn a Sadio Mane shot onto the post when Liverpool were in the ascendancy.
“The most important was the save from Mane. I really had to use my two metres to get there and turn fast to get the rebound,” Courtois said after collecting his award for man of the match.
The 30-year-old has enjoyed remarkable success in his career ever since winning the Belgian league in 2011 with Genk alongside a young Kevin De Bruyne.
Domestic titles have followed at Atletico Madrid, Chelsea and with Real, while he also won the Europa League in his time with the red and white half of Madrid.

– Beaten in 2014 final –

Yet his spell at Atletico also included an agonising defeat at the hands of Ancelotti’s Real in the 2014 Champions League final.
Referencing Italy legend Gianluigi Buffon, who never won a Champions League, Courtois expressed his delight at finally getting his hands on the biggest prize in the club game.
“It is one of the nicest feelings in my life along with the birth of my children,” he said.
“Buffon is maybe the greatest goalkeeper in history but he never won the Champions League. I didn’t want that to happen to me.”
Courtois was a regular for Chelsea for four years before returning to Spain to join Real in 2018, just after they had won the Champions League against Liverpool in Kyiv helped by two gifts from Karius.
Keylor Navas was in the Real goal then but Courtois soon pushed out the Costa Rican to make the gloves at the Santiago Bernabeu his own.
However, he stated after Saturday’s final that he feels he does not get the respect he deserves back in England.
“There was a magazine in England that didn’t put me in the top 10 goalkeepers in the world. That is a lack of respect,” he said.
“I am not saying they have to put me number one but not to put me in the top 10 is strange.
“I twice won the Premier League in England with Chelsea and don’t think I ever get recognised, and in my first season in Madrid a lot of people laughed at me but now here I am as a winner and it’s a nice feeling.”
Karim Benzema has got most of the attention after scoring 15 goals on Real’s Champions League run, including 10 in a dramatic series of knockout wins over Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea and Manchester City.
Yet perhaps none of it would have been possible had Courtois not saved Lionel Messi’s penalty in the first leg of the last-16 tie against PSG.
“Obviously that was an important moment also for me personally — you never know how the game would have gone had he scored,” said Courtois, who acknowledged that Carlo Ancelotti’s side are double winners against all expectation.
“At the beginning of this season people didn’t think we would win La Liga or even reach the semi-finals of the Champions League but we have and it is down to the work done by the coach.
“Now we need to rest well and come back strong again next season.”

Courtois earns respect with heroics to thwart Liverpool in Champions League final

Courtois earns respect with heroics to thwart Liverpool in Champions League final - World Soccer Talk

<div id="attachment_158918" style="width: 610px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/thibaut-courtois.jpg"><div><figure class="image"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-158918" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-158918" src="https:\/\/ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https:\/\/images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/WST_20151204_WST_158905_thibaut-courtois-600x414.webp&amp;width=600&amp;height=414" alt="Photo credit: AFP." width="600" height="414" srcset="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2015/12/thibaut-courtois-600x414.jpg 600w, https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2015/12/thibaut-courtois-150x104.jpg 150w, https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2015/12/thibaut-courtois-300x207.jpg 300w, https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2015/12/thibaut-courtois.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px"></figure></div></a>Photo credit: AFP.</div>
Jose Mourinho confirmed goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois is back in the squad after three months out injured for Saturday’s home match against Bournemouth, as the Chelsea manager hopes the under-pressure champions are finally turning the corner.
The Belgian goalkeeper has not played since the 2-1 defeat to Crystal Palace on Aug. 29 because of a knee injury, but Mourinho hinted he may start on Saturday, as he described the 23-year-old as the best goalkeeper in the world:
<blockquote>“Courtois is selected (in the squad). I didn’t tell them (if he will start), so they must be the ones to know. But he’s selected.
“Courtois is Courtois. To miss Courtois for a couple of matches, we knew we had good protection in a good goalkeeper (like Asmir Begovic).
“But to lose your best goalkeeper for three months, and 19 matches in all competitions … 19 matches without the best goalkeeper in the world. It was hard for us. Now we are again in a super situation by having the best and a very good one. I don’t know (if he starts).
“I have to speak with him and make a decision. But, sooner or later, he will be my number one. If not tomorrow, then against Porto (on Wednesday).”
“Courtois was our goalkeeper all last season, and we know how fundamental he was for us. So it’s very important that we have him back.”</blockquote>
Mourinho also confirmed John Terry, Ramires and Radamel Falcao are all still out, but that Nemanja Matic is available despite having to wear a face mask because of a double fracture to his nose and cheek suffered in Sunday’s 0-0 draw at Tottenham Hotspur.
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<h3>– No Costa doubts –</h3>
Diego Costa furiously threw a bib to the ground during that game once it became apparent that he would not be coming on as a sub, but the Chelsea manager played down the ongoing controversy, insisting there are no doubts over the striker’s future.
“For me, no question marks. Always played. Was on the bench one match, which is more than natural. No problems. No problems at all.”
Mourinho also laughed off the pictures of Costa emerging from the team’s Christmas party at 3:15 a.m. on Thursday morning, pointing out how it was odd that he was one of only three players to be photographed despite 25 attending.
“I think the paparazzi had a problem with their memory cards (at the Christmas party). There were 25 players inside and they only got three.”
SEE MORE: <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/2015/12/01/the-increasingly-wayward-wizardry-of-chelseas-cesc-febregas/">The increasingly wayward wizardry of Cesc Fabregas.</a>
Mourinho added that the Christmas party had allowed the players to unwind.
“They consulted me about the moment to do it (party), and I told them a bit far from Christmas because Christmas will be really busy. So they chose this week. I agreed with them. And the next morning in training everyone was really good. They did well. They needed that. But the paparazzi was not the best.”
Mourinho meanwhile feels that last week’s results — in which Chelsea kept three consecutive clean sheets for the first time this season — can set up a strong December, and signal the team turning the corner:
<blockquote>“I have to be cautious because the Premier League is the Premier League, and you don’t know what’s waiting for you around the corner. But the reality is the run was really bad and we were really strong as a club, as a technical staff, as a squad of players, to cope with that and try and go over it.
“Bad results, but with good performances, we kept our faith, stability and belief. And then, finally, last week we got three positive results in a row.
“Let’s try and build on that. December can be a good month. We play four matches at home, three in the Premier League and one in the Champions League.
“We go away against two of the top three teams, United and Leicester, matches where you have nothing to lose and everything to win. So December can be a good month.”</blockquote>
<h3>More Premier League:</h3>
<ul>
<li><a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/2015/12/04/laurent-koscielny-health-a-boost-for-arsenal-alexis-sanchez-still-a-doubt/">Koscielny’s health a boost; Sanchez still a doubt.</a></li>
<li><a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/2015/12/04/klopps-influences-gives-liverpool-reason-to-believe-in-more-than-just-top-four/">Klopp giving Liverpool reason to think beyond top four.</a></li>
<li><a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/2015/12/03/city-football-group-stake-is-part-of-chinas-dream-of-becoming-a-global-sports-powerhouse/">China’s CFG investment part of creating a world power.</a></li>
<li><a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/2015/12/03/the-weight-of-england-is-on-gary-nevilles-shoulders-at-valencia/">The weight of England is on Neville’s shoulders.</a></li>
</ul>

Thibaut Courtois is back in Chelsea’s squad - World Soccer Talk

Thibaut Courtois is back in Chelsea’s squad

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London (AFP) – Chelsea’s troubled start to their Premier League title defense suffered a fresh blow on Friday when it emerged that goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois requires knee surgery.
Sources close to the player, who has a torn meniscus in his right knee, expect the Belgian star to be sidelined for between 10 and 12 weeks.
Courtois returned from international duty after playing in Belgium’s 1-0 win over Cyprus last Sunday only to suffer the injury on Wednesday.
“Everybody came back well from the national teams but Courtois was injured in a training session and I cannot tell you much but I can tell you he needs surgery in his right knee and as a consequence he will be out for quite a long time,” manager Jose Mourinho said.
“I cannot be more specific about the injury and the time he will be out. “I just know he will be out for some time.”
SEE MORE: <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/2015/09/11/chelseas-33-loans-in-spotlight-as-fifa-confirms-mohamed-salah-complaint/">Chelsea loan policy in spotlight with Salah complaint to FIFA</a>.
Mourinho, however, expressed full faith in £8 million ($12.4 million, 11 million euros) signing Asmir Begovic to replace him.
“It’s a big blow but you will not see me speaking again about Thibaut. He’s injured, he’s injured.
“It’s not easy to have the best goalkeeper in the world injured. But it’s easy to have one of the best goalkeepers in the world to play. Begovic is very, very good. I’m sad for Thibaut and sad for the team but we have a top goalkeeper and Begovic will be in goal.”
The injury only adds to Chelsea’s concerns ahead of a trip to Goodison Park that is already underscored by flashpoints and controversies.
Mourinho’s side have only four points from four games, the second worst start by a team defending the Premier League title, and face an Everton whose manager Roberto Martinez and owner Bill Kenwright have been so publicly critical of <a title="Everton determined to hang on to John Stones despite Chelsea’s new £30 million bid" href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/2015/08/18/everton-determined-to-hang-on-to-john-stones-despite-chelseas-new-30-million-bid/">Chelsea’s unsuccessful pursuit of 21-year-old defender John Stones</a>.
Mourinho played all of that down and insisted that his team’s performances have been better than results have suggested.
<blockquote>“What Martinez says for me means nothing and I don’t comment. The only thing I can tell you is that I expect Stones to play with (Phil) Jagielka and we know their qualities and we are going to try to be successful.
“Every game is important and we are in the title race. Yes, we are. We need points but every game is difficult.
“Everton is not different. Every team is getting better. Every team has economic power and players to play for title contenders. Every point is more difficult to get. We know that. We have every intention to win the match but with respect.”</blockquote>
Chelsea ended up <a title="Chelsea land Senegal international Papy Djilobodji from Nantes" href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/2015/09/01/papy-djilobodji-transfer-news-nantes-chelsea-signing/">signing Papy Djilobodji from Nantes</a> as a cut-price alternative to Stones.
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Mourinho admitted it was not his choice, but that he fully trusted the judgement of those who identified the 26-year-old, who he stressed will be a “fantastic squad player.”
“It was the choice of someone I trust completely. Which is the same. I don’t know every player. My job doesn’t allow me to travel and spend hours watching players.
“In some moments of the market, under certain circumstances, there are moments when you have to trust or not the people you work with. In my case, I trust because the same person who told me Djilbodji can be a good squad player was the same person who told me (Kurt) Zouma can be a fantastic player for us. ”
Club owner Roman Abramovich was also seen at the Cobham training ground, but Mourinho was reluctant to reveal what they were to discuss.
“I don’t have to tell you.”

Thibault Courtois set for knee surgery, expected to miss 2-3 months - World Soccer Talk

Thibault Courtois set for knee surgery, expected to miss 2-3 months

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Former Arsenal goalkeeper David Seaman&nbsp;has given&nbsp;Chelsea shot stopper&nbsp;Thibaut Courtois&nbsp;the edge over&nbsp;Manchester United’s David de Gea heading into this weekend’s showdown between the two Premier League clubs.
The question as to which young goalkeeper is the best in England has been the topic of debate since the Belgian arrived in London this summer following&nbsp;his loan spell with Atletico Madrid.
Courtois has displaced Chelsea’s long-serving goalkeeper Petr Cech and played a significant role in the club’s&nbsp;pursuit of a Premier League title. While De Gea almost single-handedly kept United in the race for the top four during the better part of the season.
Seaman, who won nine major trophies with Arsenal and was capped 75 times by England, gave Courtois the edge over his Spanish counterpart when asked which goalkeeper he preferred during an interview with Sky Sports News HQ.
“For me it’s Courtois,” Seaman said. “He’s been solid and shown his class. At Chelsea you don’t get a great deal to do [as a goalkeeper], but when he’s been called on he’s been fantastic.
“De Gea had a really dodgy start, but he’s shown his character and he’s now showing everybody why Manchester United bought him. He’s a quality keeper who makes some fantastic saves.
“Going back to Courtois – apart from the goal he let in against Charlie Adam [the 60-yard strike] he’s had a great season. I’d tell him: ‘Don’t worry, it happens to the best of us!&apos;”
Programming note:&nbsp;Chelsea vs. Manchester United&nbsp;will be shown LIVE&nbsp;on Saturday&nbsp;at 12:30pm EST on&nbsp;NBC and&nbsp;<a style="color: #743399;" href="http:\/\/www.nbcsports.com/liveextra" target="_blank">NBC Sports Live Extra</a>.
&nbsp;

Arsenal legend David Seaman rates Thibaut Courtois over David de Gea - World Soccer Talk

Arsenal legend David Seaman rates Thibaut Courtois over David de Gea

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