Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has ruptured his meniscus, ruling him out of their Manchester City tie and a potential Champions League semi-final against Arsenal.

Real Madrid's Thibaut Courtois trains on the eve of the UEFA Champions League last 16 second leg football match against RB Leipzig at the Ciudad Real Madrid training ground in Valdebebas, outskirts of Madrid, on March 5, 2024. (Photo by PIERRE-PHILIPPE MARCOU / AFP)
Real Madrid’s Thibaut Courtois trains on the eve of the UEFA Champions League last 16 second leg football match against RB Leipzig at the Ciudad Real Madrid training ground in Valdebebas, outskirts of Madrid, on March 5, 2024. (Photo by PIERRE-PHILIPPE MARCOU / AFP)

Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has been out of action with an ACL injury since last summer, suffering the setback last August.

The goalkeeper was due to return to action in April, and he was back in training with Real Madrid earlier this month, as seen in the image above.

But the 31-year-old has suffered a setback in his recovery, rupturing the internal meniscus in his right knee, having initially suffered his ACL injury in his left knee.

Real Madrid International player Belgian Thibaut Courtois in Spain, Sunday 17 September 2023. (Photo by PEP DALMAU/BELGA MAG/AFP via Getty Images)
Real Madrid International player Belgian Thibaut Courtois in Spain, Sunday 17 September 2023. (Photo by PEP DALMAU/BELGA MAG/AFP via Getty Images)

The BBC report that Courtois has already undergone surgery, and Real Madrid aren’t putting a timescale on his return.

However, Fabrizio Romano writes that the player is expected to be out for the next two months, and his season is now almost over.

Real Madrid are set to face Manchester City in the Champions League quarter-finals, but Courtois will certainly miss that clash.

Should Real progress, it’s possible they’ll meet Arsenal in the semi-finals, if the Gunners can get past Bayern Munich. Courtois’ injury absence would rule him out of that tie as well.

ORLANDO, FLORIDA: Thibaut Courtois of Real Madrid reacts after giving up a goal to Dušan Vlahović of Juventus in stoppage time during the pre-season friendly match at Camping World Stadium on August 02, 2023. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FLORIDA: Thibaut Courtois of Real Madrid reacts after giving up a goal to Dušan Vlahović of Juventus in stoppage time during the pre-season friendly match at Camping World Stadium on August 02, 2023. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)

Real Madrid have Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga on loan as cover for Courtois, but the Spanish international has lost his place to Andriy Lunin.

Lunin has played all but one of Real Madrid’s La Liga matches in 2024, as well as starting in both of their Champions League last-16 matches against RB Leipzig.

It looks likely he’ll be between the sticks for the rest of Real’s Champions League campaign this season.