Real Madrid announced on Sunday morning that its starting goalkeeper, Thibaut Courtois, would miss the Clasico against FC Barcelona due to flu. However, a few hours later, information from The Athletic and Actu Foot indicates that the Belgian could reunite with his teammates in Catalonia, if his health improves sufficiently. This unexpected development gave new hope to the Madrid club, which finds itself on the eve of a crucial La Liga match.
Courtois, 34, said he still hoped to join the Madrid squad before the match, although his presence is not yet guaranteed. The goalkeeper expressed optimism about his recovery, while acknowledging that the final decision will depend on the evolution of his symptoms in the coming hours. The Real Madrid medical staff remains cautious and has not yet made a final decision on his participation.
Real Madrid, which counts on Courtois as one of the pillars of its team, particularly in major events, therefore finds itself in an uncertain situation. The presence of the goalkeeper would have strengthened Madrid's defense against Barça, but the club must first wait for official confirmation of his return. No official statement has yet canceled the initial package, and Courtois has not yet removed his name from the list of participants.
The club has raised the possibility of a separate trip for the goalkeeper, in order to join the Madrid squad before the start of the match. This option, relayed by Actu Foot sur X, shows that Real Madrid remains open to all solutions to maximize its chances of victory. However, the final decision will depend on Courtois' health and the club's medical assessment.
In the meantime, Real Madrid must prepare for two scenarios: either Courtois arrives on time and plays, or the club must rely on his replacement. The match against FC Barcelona remains one of the most anticipated events of the season, and the absence or presence of Courtois could influence the outcome of the Clasico. Supporters and analysts will closely monitor developments in the coming hours, while the club awaits final confirmation of their goalkeeper.