As Real Madrid fans awaited the return of their guardian angel from an anterior cruciate ligament injury, their hopes were dashed when Thibaut Courtois suffered another knee injury, forcing him to leave training in tears.
The Belgian goalkeeper suffered a torn meniscus in his right knee a few days ago.
Although tests revealed that the injury was not as serious as initially feared, Courtois will be forced to undergo further surgery and spend the rest of the season on the sidelines.
With Courtois officially ruled out of the season, it is up to his replacements Kepa Arrizabalaga and Andriy Lunin to step up and take responsibility for closing out the season on a high note.
Kepa and Lunin were upset to hear the news of Courtois’ injury
Now, according to Jorge Picón Two of the teammates most hurt by Courtois’ injury were his “rivals” in goal – Kepa and Lunin.
According to the report, Kepa particularly took the news to heart. Although he is a direct competitor on the team, few people would understand the pain Courtois is enduring better than someone who shares his position.
Likewise, Lunin found out after getting off a flight, with the Ukrainian also upset upon hearing the news.
The report adds that throughout Courtois’ recovery period, both felt incredibly close to him.
The 31-year-old Champions League winner has been quite close to both his teammates in recent months, serving as an advisor to each of them.
The former Chelsea player offered words of encouragement to Kepa when he was on the bench and to Lunin at the start of the season.
And even though the Belgian was unable to play, Courtois remained one of the moral and ethical leaders of the locker room.