Courtois’s Injury Update: Belgium’s News Sparks Madrid’s Recovery Plan

Injury Update Ahead of Key Matches

Belgium’s national team confirmed the status of Thibaut Courtois, Real Madrid’s goalkeeper, for the November camp after the injury he sustained with his club.

The Belgian side is preparing for two Euro 2026 qualifying fixtures against Kazakhstan and Liechtenstein, with the tournament slated to be hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico next summer.

Real Madrid had announced the injury after Sunday’s La Liga draw with Rayo Vallecano.

The club stated that Courtois suffered a strain in the long adductor muscle of his right leg.

Nevertheless, Courtois traveled to Belgium to meet the national team doctors to compare with the tests Madrid had conducted.

Accordingly, the Belgian federation issued a statement saying Courtois would return to Madrid to continue his recovery and prepare for the upcoming league clash with Elche on Sunday, November 23 as part of La Liga’s round 13.

Belgium still needs only three points to secure a place at the 2026 World Cup.

Injury Timeline and Madrid’s Next Moves

Spanish newspaper AS indicated early estimates place Courtois’s absence at about 10 to 12 days.

Despite concerns after the Vallecano game, Madrid received reassuring news about Courtois and Federico Valverde’s injuries, with neither injury seen as a long-term threat and both expected to feature against Elche unless something changes.

Madrid’s schedule after the international break sees them heading to Greece to face Olympiakos, then to Girona, and finally a trip to San Mamés to meet Athletic Bilbao; numerically, the season’s calendar even spots an NFL game at the Bernabéu between the Dolphins and the Commanders.

Valverde Injury

The club also confirmed a new blow to Uruguay star Fede Valverde, with an injury to the right semimembranosus muscle.

This setback will sideline him for about 10 days, adding a fresh muscular concern for coach Xabi Alonso as Madrid navigates a dense fixture list.

AS reports Valverde left the last match against Rayo Vallecano with stem-like issues in the right leg; the club says it’s a simple muscular fatigue, but later scans showed a semimembranosus strain, forcing him out of Uruguay duties.

Valverde has carried a heavy load after 15 of 16 games this season, totaling 1,261 minutes of 1,440, while maintaining a high intensity in every match.

Additionally, Valverde has appeared as a right-back in seven games (46.7%), further increasing his physical demand. Staying at Valdebebas during the international window, rather than joining Uruguay for friendlies, could be the best medicine for full recovery.

Punchline time: If injuries were a sport, Courtois would be the undefeated champion of the ‘sit and rest’ league. And if recoveries had a soundtrack, his comeback would be titled The Return of the King-keeper. (Yes, I’ll take a bow for that one.)