Courtois cleared for Real Madrid's La Liga opener after groin scare at World Cup

Thibaut Courtois will be fit for Real Madrid’s La Liga season opener after medical tests confirmed the groin injury he picked up during Spain’s World Cup quarter-final victory over Belgium is not serious, with the club expecting him back in full first-team training by the final week of July.

Courtois returned to Madrid following Belgium’s elimination to undergo assessment, and the results were straightforwardly positive. The damage is minor, and the club anticipates the issue will be fully resolved before he rejoins the squad.

He will sit out Madrid’s pre-season friendly against Fiorentina in Klagenfurt on 1 August, though that absence is understood to be precautionary rather than a sign of lingering concern. Courtois departed with a structured treatment plan to follow during his rest period, addressing the muscle problem throughout his holiday.

On his return, Courtois will be introduced to new goalkeeping coach Nuno Santos and integrate into a squad that has already begun pre-season under José Mourinho, meaning he will need to catch up on some early fitness work.

The groin problem is unrelated to the rectus femoris tear Courtois suffered in March 2026, though it adds another chapter to what has been a disrupted run of fitness across recent seasons. The prognosis this time, however, carries none of the same concern.

The fitness clearance arrives alongside concurrent reporting that Courtois is set to sign a contract extension with Real Madrid — two developments that are naturally intertwined. A goalkeeper confirmed available for the start of the season enters those negotiations from a position of strength.

Courtois has also spoken publicly about his commitment to the club’s direction this summer, with his endorsement of Madrid’s rebuild signalling a player focused on what comes next rather than one managing a departure. For a club navigating a significant transition in the dugout, having their first-choice goalkeeper fit, motivated, and close to a new deal is a meaningful piece of stability heading into the new campaign.