Drama at Real Madrid: Courtois and Valverde injured

Published New:11/11/2025 - 00:36h

Updated New:11/11/2025 - 00:37h

Real Madrid had a day to forget in Vallecas on Sunday. In addition to the goalless draw against Rayo, the 'Merengues' suffered two new injury setbacks: Courtois and Valverde

Real Madrid confirmed two new injury absences from their squad on Monday. After the goalless draw against Rayo (0-0), Xabi Alonso's team added Thibaut Courtois and Fede Valverde to their infirmary, both starters in the visit to Vallecas.

The Uruguayan, however, **was substituted in the 83rd minute with discomfort in his right hamstring**. Fede injured himself while taking a shot from outside the box in the 69th minute, which was controlled by goalkeeper Batalla without too many problems. Again playing as right-back and captain, the '8' contributed little to a white team lacking ideas and depth.

For the second consecutive match, Madrid failed to score. In Vallecas, however, they did not suffer as much siege in their area as they did against Liverpool, where Courtois' 9 saves prevented a heavy defeat. Against Rayo, the Belgian only had to intervene on a couple of occasions to prevent his goal from being breached.

Valverde suffers a mild muscle injury in his right leg

According to Real Madrid's official medical report, Fede Valverde suffers from a right hamstring injury". Although the report does not specify a recovery time, the '8' is likely to be out for about a week and a half.

In that regard, the 27-year-old player will not travel with Uruguay for the friendlies against **Mexico** (11/15) and **United States** (11/18), but should be available for the match against Elche on Sunday, November 23

So far in the 25/26 season, Valverde has played 15 of Madrid's 16 games, starting 14 of them. The Montevideo native has 4 assists and 1,261 minutes of action with Xabi Alonso's team, being a key piece in the Basque coach's system despite not playing in his usual midfield position.

Courtois could miss Elche visit due to injury

Thibaut Courtois, for his part, is suffering from a **tear in the adductor longus muscle of his right leg**. In principle, the Belgian goalkeeper would be out for around two weeks, meaning he will likely miss the matchday 13 LaLiga clash against Elche.

The 33-year-old goalkeeper has conceded 12 goals in 16 games this season, with a total of 8 clean sheets. If he does not receive medical clearance after the break, Andriy Lunin would be the chosen one to occupy the 'Merengue' goal in the visit to the Ilicitano team.

The Ukrainian goalkeeper has not played an official match with Madrid since May 24 (against Real Sociedad) and in 24/25 he only played 7 league games and a couple in the Champions League, in addition to another 5 in the Copa del Rey (he was only a substitute in the final against Barça).

In addition to Courtois and Valverde, Real Madrid still has Antonio Rüdiger, Aurélien Tchouaméni, Franco Mastantuono and Dani Carvajal in their infirmary. Only the latter is a long-term absentee. The rest should reappear against Elche or, failing that, in the Champions League against Olympiacos in Greece