Real Madrid goalkeeper doubts: Florentino must make a decision now, especially for Thibault Courtois. The future of this demarcation is beginning to generate debate in the Valdebebas offices
The generational change of the first team, a process that began in 2018, is approaching its completion. Most of the recruitments made since then by the directors of the white club have been successful and are now part of the Santiago Bernabéu dressing room. But there are still some positions that have not received the corresponding treatment, such as defense or midfield.
In addition to the movements regarding the recruitment of a central defender or the recruitment of playmaking talents like Florian Wirtz, Real Madrid finds itself in another important debate on the issue of generational change: that of goalkeepers. Until now, Thibaut Courtois and Andriy Lunin have been the club’s goalkeepers, but the Belgian « 1 » is approaching the end of his contract at an alarming speed.
The Bree-born goalkeeper is expected to end his contract with the Madrid club, if nothing changes, in the summer of 2026. With one season left to play, Thibaut Courtois’ quality makes him one of the most sought-after players in Europe’s elite… especially if he can join one of these teams on a free transfer. In any case, almost everything suggests that the White Dome will offer him a renewal sooner than it seems.
The only question is how long his contract will last. One of the rules strictly applied by the sporting management is the strictly annual renewal of those outfield players who have exceeded 30 years of age. The most notorious examples of this practice in recent times are Toni Kroos, Luka Modric, Lucas Vázquez and Dani Carvajal. Thibaut Courtois is currently 32 years old, so he would have surpassed that barrier set by the Madrid bosses.
However, his situation in the first team is slightly different to that of his other teammates. Not only because of the excellent performances he has had during almost his entire time as a Real Madrid player. Signing a goalkeeper in the transfer market is a laborious and complicated operation, so the Whites’ directors would bet on the renewal of Courtois and the continuity of an Andriy Lunin whose future is assured until mid-2030.
There is time to think about it
Given that the goalkeeping position is a very specific location on the pitch, there is a possibility that Florentino Pérez approaches Thibaut Courtois with a renewal proposal that would extend his stay for two more seasons. Thus, the Belgian ‘1’ would remain at Real Madrid until the summer of 2028: by then he will be 36 years old.
Whatever the case, the final decision on that issue will come at the end of this season. As with other renewals, the Whites will want to wait until the end of this season to decide on the continuity of the players whose contracts are coming to an end. Without forgetting the Club World Cup, which, although it is held between the months of June and July, is clearly far from being a pre-season tournament.
