Football News

Courtois picked up an ACL injury last August, just before Real Madrid's opening match of the season against Athletic Bilbao, before suffering another knee issue in March.

At the time, it had been feared that the Belgian would miss the rest of the season, but he has made a fast recovery from his second operation, and the stopper started against Cadiz on Saturday.

The 31-year-old produced a clean sheet in his side's 3-0 win, with Brahim Diaz, Jude Bellingham and Joselu on the scoresheet for Carlo Ancelotti's side at Bernabeu.

Real Madrid will be confirmed as La Liga champions for the 2023-24 campaign if second-placed Barcelona fail to overcome third-placed Girona this evening.

«A very nice day. Very happy to be able to feel like a goalkeeper again and with the victory. We are close to winning the league,» Courtois told reporters after the clash with Cadiz.

«At first I thought I won't play this season, then I set a goal, but I got injured again, and in the end I was able to come back.

»On Wednesday (against Bayern Munich in the Champions League) we have another very important game and we hope that with the fans and everyone in white we can give another joy.

«It will take a little time to adapt again. The plan was to play a friendly match in training at the time, but I tore my meniscus. I only trained, but I haven't played 11 vs. 11 for nine months.

»We are a group of friends in the team. A hug and a positive word always helps a lot. [Eder] Militao

Carlo Ancelotti Jude Bellingham Vinícius Júnior Thomas Tuchel Aurélien Tchouaméni Ferland Mendy Federico Valverde Toni Kroos David Alaba Thibaut Courtois Antonio Rudiger Brahim Diaz