Real Madrid have Espanyol on the docket in La Liga, but in the death throes of their title race, they have one last chance to make a statement on May 10 when they take on Barcelona, who sit 14 points ahead of the Merengues and have almost guaranteed the league title.
Los Blancos have been horrendous by their standards this season, with just 74 points through 33 matches. It has been another grueling season for Real Madrid, and though it is no excuse for how they have performed, Real have, once again, been battered by injuries this season.
One of the most significant recent absences has been that of superstar goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, who has been, once again, by far the team's best overall - and most important - player in the 2025/26 season.
Thibaut Courtois is coming back soon
The Belgian legend sustained a quadriceps injury in mid March, but Real Madrid were optimistic of a possible return by the time the team played against their eternal rivals Barcelona in El Clasico on May 10.
Now, according to a report from Diario AS, via the Madrid Zone, Thibaut Courtois will almost certainly be healthy enough and ready to start against Robert Lewandowski and the high flying Barcelona attack next Sunday.
Even without Ballon d'Or favorite Lamine Yamal on the right wing, Barcelona are still a very dangerous side. Marcus Rashford has been a good addition to the team, and the breakout of Fermin Lopez has given Barca a huge new star to create chances and even finish them off, too.
Real Madrid are so much better with Courtois between the sticks. With no disrespect meant to Andriy Lunin, who is a decent keeper all told, Courtois is simply different gravy, and, once more, there is no goalkeeper who can come close to holding a candle to his impact and quality over the course of a full season.
So often, the magic of Real Madrid that is blown up into a mythological proportion is really attributable to the way Courtois functions as a get out of jail free card. It is brilliant for Real Madrid fans to hear that the full expectation is indeed for Courtois to return next weekend against Barcelona, because, honestly, not having him out there is as good as a loss. Barca's hungry Hansi Flick led attack is going to create a bevy of chances, and Real need Courtois to stop them.
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