Thibaut Courtois Returns to Full Real Madrid Training Ahead of Crucial La Liga Clash Against Racing Santander

Key Points:

• Thibaut Courtois Recovered: Real Madrid’s Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois returned to full squad training on Friday following his recovery from a bout of flu that ruled him out of El Clásico.
• Starting Lineup Confirmation: Courtois is set to start in goal for José Mourinho’s side against Racing de Santander at El Sardinero this Sunday.
• Squad Fitness Updates: Turkish midfielder Arda Güler has resumed full group training, while Uruguayan midfielder Fede Valverde is scheduled to rejoin squad work on Saturday prior to travelling to Santander.
• Key Absentees: Real Madrid will be without long-term injured duo Rodrygo and Raul Asencio, while star forward Vinícius Júnior remains unavailable due to suspension.
• Demanding Fixture Schedule: The match in Santander begins a grueling three-game away run in seven days before the upcoming international break, including trips to face AEK Athens in the UEFA Champions League and Valencia at Mestalla.

Madrid (Madrid Journals) October 30, 2026 – Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has completed a full training session with the first-team squad on Friday and is scheduled to start in Sunday’s La Liga fixture against Racing de Santander at El Sardinero. The Belgian international was sidelined for almost a week after contracting influenza, which forced him to miss Real Madrid’s 2–1 victory in El Clásico against Barcelona. Having overcome the illness, Courtois is fully fit and available for selection as manager José Mourinho prepares his side for a high-density run of three matches across seven days prior to the November international window.

What is Thibaut Courtois’ physical condition ahead of Sunday’s match at El Sardinero?

As reported by AR Arjun Rao of The False 9, Thibaut Courtois has completed his full recovery protocol after missing the victory over Barcelona due to a sudden case of flu. Standing in for the Belgian, Ukrainian goalkeeper Andriy Lunin made five crucial saves to secure the El Clásico win.

Speaking to local media on his recovery, Courtois stated that “I’m feeling much better now, thank God,” adding that “I’m training little by little to recover. There’s still time ahead of Sunday”. As covered by OneFootball staff, Courtois completed the entire group session on Friday morning under José Mourinho’s oversight, positioning him to reclaim his starting spot in goal at El Sardinero.

Which other Real Madrid players are returning to action alongside Courtois?

As reported by staff writers at Goal, squad availability provided further encouragement for José Mourinho during Friday’s tactical preparations. Turkish international Arda Güler returned to normal group activities alongside Courtois after completing gym work earlier in the week following his 94-minute display against Barcelona.

Furthermore, as detailed by EFE and reported via beIN SPORTS, midfielder Fede Valverde worked through individual recovery programs inside the facility after experiencing minor muscle discomfort in his right leg following a second-half tackle in El Clásico. As reported by OneFootball, Valverde played down the severity of the issue, stating after the Barcelona match that “The manager asked me if I could continue and I tried to do so. My leg was bothering me a bit after a tackle I made. It was a little more as a precaution”. Valverde is scheduled to rejoin team training on Saturday morning before the squad travels north to Santander.

Which players remain ruled out for José Mourinho’s side?

As reported by AR Arjun Rao of The False 9, Real Madrid will be missing three prominent first-team figures for the trip to Cantabria. Brazilian forward Rodrygo remains sidelined with a long-term knee injury, while central defender Raul Asencio continues his recovery from a tibia injury.

In addition to the injury absentees, star winger Vinícius Júnior will miss Sunday’s fixture as he serves an ongoing disciplinary suspension. These absences leave French international Kylian Mbappé—who scored both goals at Camp Nou—to lead Real Madrid’s attack at El Sardinero.

How does Real Madrid’s schedule look leading up to the international break?

As reported by staff writers at Goal, Real Madrid face a demanding sequence of fixtures requiring precise physical management. Following Sunday’s La Liga Matchday 11 visit to 13th-placed Racing Santander, Real Madrid will travel directly to Greece to face AEK Athens in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday, 4 November.

The three-game away run concludes at Mestalla against Valencia on Saturday, 7 November, which marks the final match before players depart for international duty on 9 November. Real Madrid currently sit third in La Liga on 24 points, trailing league leaders Barcelona by three points after recording three consecutive victories across all competitions.

Background of Real Madrid’s Goalkeeping and Squad Management Under José Mourinho

The return of Thibaut Courtois marks a stabilization point in Real Madrid’s defensive setup. Since José Mourinho’s arrival, the Portuguese manager has implemented a structured 4-2-3-1 defensive shape. Under this framework, Courtois has maintained his position as the club’s undisputed primary goalkeeper, backed up by Ukrainian international Andriy Lunin, who has consistently stepped in during short-term absences.

Courtois’ brief absence during El Clásico marked the first time this season that illness disrupted Mourinho’s defensive spine. Real Madrid’s recent defensive stability—evidenced by 4–1 wins against Sevilla and RB Leipzig alongside the 2–1 victory over Barcelona—has relied heavily on consistent communication between the goalkeeper, central defenders Ibrahima Konaté and Dean Huijsen, and converted right-back Fede Valverde.

Real Madrid’s Rotation Strategy and Match Outcomes

The availability of Thibaut Courtois and Arda Güler provides essential operational relief for José Mourinho as Real Madrid navigate a schedule requiring three away fixtures in seven days.

For Real Madrid supporters and tactical analysts, Courtois’ immediate restoration to the starting XI against Racing Santander provides needed defensive organization against a opponent known for direct home play at El Sardinero. With Vinícius Júnior suspended and Rodrygo injured, Mourinho is predicted to utilize Arda Güler and Brahim Díaz in wide positions to maintain attacking balance alongside Kylian Mbappé.

Furthermore, managing Fede Valverde’s workload will be vital for Real Madrid’s technical staff. If Valverde is limited in minutes against Racing Santander to prevent muscle aggravation, Mourinho may be forced to adjust his right-back options or rely more heavily on central midfield rotations during the midweek Champions League trip to Athens. Successfully navigating this three-game block without further injury setbacks will be critical to keeping Real Madrid within striking distance of the top of the La Liga table prior to the November international break.