Thibaut Courtois has been ruled out of this weekend’s El Clásico (live on ESPN+ at 3 p.m. ET) against Barcelona due to an “adductor injury in his left leg” that could keep him out for three to four weeks, sources have told ESPN.
The Real Madrid goalkeeper initially suffered the injury during the 1-1 draw with Atlético Madrid on 29 September.
After two weeks on the sidelines, Courtois was instrumental in the victories over Celta Vigo and Borussia Dortmund, but the 32-year-old suffered a recurrence of the injury against the Bundesliga side.
“Following tests carried out on our player Thibaut Courtois by Real Madrid’s medical services, he has been diagnosed with an adductor injury in his left leg. Pending evolution,” the club said in a statement on Wednesday.
Sources have told ESPN that Courtois will miss the Clásico against Barça as well as games against Valencia and AC Milan. It seems very unlikely that he will be able to return to fitness in time to play in the match against Osasuna, although that will depend on the speed of his recovery.
Club sources told ESPN that they have a good understanding of this type of injury after dealing with it twice last season.
Rodrygo was also injured in the match against Dortmund. The Brazil international was substituted in the second half due to a hamstring problem.
Madrid confirmed that the forward had been “diagnosed with a muscle injury in the right femoral biceps,” in a statement on Sunday. Sources have told ESPN that Rodrygo will be out for between 15 and 20 days.
Carlo Ancelotti’s team, who trail Barcelona by three points in La Liga, host the league leaders at the Bernabéu on Saturday.