Courtois gives Real Madrid hope of Barcelona return after illness

Thibaut Courtois remains hopeful of playing for Real Madrid against Barcelona on Sunday after beginning to recover from influenza, despite the club announcing earlier in the day that he would miss the La Liga clasico.

The Belgium goalkeeper was ruled out by Real Madrid on Sunday morning, but his condition has since improved and he could still travel to Barcelona to join the squad and prepare for the match, according to The Athletic.

Real Madrid’s team delegation had already arrived in Barcelona by Sunday afternoon without Courtois. However, Spanish newspaper AS reported that his absence was no longer certain.

“Thibaut Courtois’ absence from the clasico between Barcelona and Real Madrid is no longer 100% confirmed, with the goalkeeper’s status changing from being ruled out to being a doubt,” AS said.

The newspaper added: “Courtois was ruled out at the last minute because of flu symptoms, but his situation has developed. His condition will be assessed over the coming hours and, if he improves, he will travel to Barcelona for the match.”

Courtois, 34, is Real Madrid’s first-choice goalkeeper under Jose Mourinho and has played in every match for the club this season. Andriy Lunin is preparing to replace him if he is ultimately unable to take part.

The two goalkeepers have been at Real Madrid since 2018. Lunin has made 43 La Liga appearances over the past five seasons when Courtois has been unavailable.

Real Madrid are taking a cautious approach to the possibility of Courtois playing. Ilya Voloshin, the club’s third-choice goalkeeper, travelled with the first-team squad, while Sergio Mestre is also included in the matchday list.

Voloshin, who has represented Ukraine Under-20s, has never played a senior club match.

Courtois remains one of Real Madrid’s key players and has been in strong form this season. He has established himself not only as the club’s number one but also as one of the world’s leading goalkeepers, having kept 98 clean sheets in La Liga.

He is in his ninth season with Real Madrid, having joined from Chelsea in summer 2018. Courtois has won 12 trophies with the club, including three La Liga titles and two Champions League crowns.

His contract in the Spanish capital expires at the end of the current season, although he is expected to sign a 12-month extension that would keep him at Real Madrid until 2028.

Real Madrid go into Sunday’s match six points behind league leaders Barcelona. Their recent results have improved, however, with victories over Sevilla and RB Leipzig in the past few weeks.