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Just when Real Madrid fans were awaiting the return of their guardian angel after his ACL injury, their hopes were dashed when Thibaut Courtois suffered a new knee injury, forcing him to leave training in tears.
The Belgian goalkeeper suffered a meniscus tear in his right knee just a couple of days ago.
Although tests revealed that the injury was not as serious as initially feared, Courtois will be forced to undergo surgery again and spend the rest of the season out.
With Courtois officially ruled out for the season, the responsibility to close the season on a high note falls to his replacements, Kepa Arrizabalaga and Andriy Lunin.
Kepa and Lunin were angry when they heard the news of Courtois’ injury
Now, according to Jorge Picon Two of the teammates most affected by Courtois’ injury were his ‘rivals’ in goal: Kepa and Lunin.
According to the report, Kepa took the news especially seriously. Despite being direct competitors in the squad, few would understand the pain Courtois is enduring better than someone who shares his position.
Likewise, Lunin found out after getting off a flight, leaving the Ukrainian equally distraught upon hearing the news.
The report adds that throughout Courtois’ recovery period, the two have felt incredibly close to him.
The 31-year-old Champions League winner has been quite close to both teammates in recent months, serving as an advisor to each of them.
The former Chelsea man offered words of encouragement to Kepa when he was benched and to Lunin earlier in the season.
And although the Belgian could not play, Courtois continued to be one of the moral and ethical leaders of the locker room.