Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois tears knee ligament, will undergo surgery

Thibaut Courtois (Pic: AFP)

Real Madrid suffered a major setback on Thursday when their star goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois tore a ligament in his left knee during training, just two days before the team's first game of the season.

The club said Courtois will require surgery, meaning that he will likely be out for a large part of the campaign.

Madrid will play Athletic Bilbao on Saturday in their first game of the season.

Courtois' injury comes after an offseason that featured the exit of striker Karim Benzema, with the club yet to sign a replacement.

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The 31-year-old Courtois has been a pillar of Madrid's success since he arrived from Chelsea in 2018. His saves provided the perfect counterpoint to Benzema's goals. The Belgium international helped Madrid win the Champions League in 2022, Spanish league titles in 2020 and 2022, and last season's Copa del Rey.

Previously, Courtois helped Chelsea win two Premier League titles and an FA Cup.

Before his stint in London, he played for Real Madrid's rival, Atletico Madrid, helping it win the Spanish league and Europa League.

Madrid opens the season on Saturday at Athletic Bilbao, when rarely used backup Andriy Lunin, a Ukrainian player, looks set to take Courtois' place.

(With AP inputs)