Fakayejo Paul
Madrid, Spain – Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has rejoined the team for partial training ahead of their crucial UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg against Arsenal.
According to reports from Spain, Courtois participated in part of the group session on Sunday.
This marks a positive step in his recovery from a recent muscle injury that has kept him sidelined for the past few weeks.
He missed Real Madrid’s La Liga match against Valencia on Saturday, where they suffered a 2-1 defeat.
While his return to training is a boost for Real Madrid, his full fitness for the Arsenal game on Tuesday remains uncertain.
Manager Carlo Ancelotti will assess Courtois’s progress in the coming days before making a decision on his availability.
Ancelotti has since included Courtois in the squad for the Arsenal match, indicating a potential return to the starting lineup.
However, backup goalkeeper Andriy Lunin has been left out of the squad due to a minor calf issue.
Real Madrid have faced a mini goalkeeping situation recently, with Courtois’s absence compounded by Lunin’s injury, which led to the debut of 19-year-old Fran Gonzalez against Valencia.
Courtois has had a history of injuries, including a significant ACL tear earlier in his Real Madrid career.
He had only recently returned to consistent playing time before this latest muscle problem.
The first leg of the Champions League quarter-final between Arsenal and Real Madrid is scheduled to take place at the Emirates Stadium in London on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, at 8:00 PM local time (BST).