Courtois ruled out of El Clásico with flu-like illness

Thibaut Courtois is out of El Clásico on Sunday, October 25, 2026. Real Madrid attributed the last-minute absence to a flu-like illness and said Illia Voloshyn had been called up in his place. The updated squad contains three goalkeepers — Lunin, Mestre and Voloshyn — but that does not confirm who will start against Barcelona.

What Real Madrid confirmed

Real Madrid’s official announcement is brief and clearly defines what is known: Courtois is a last-minute absentee because of a flu-like illness, and Illia Voloshyn has replaced him in the squad. The club did not provide a recovery timeline, a projected return date or further clinical information in that notice.

That distinction matters. The announcement establishes why the goalkeeper is unavailable for this match, but it does not support conclusions about later fixtures. Any assessment of how long he will be absent requires another official update.

The available goalkeepers

The squad list published by the club names Lunin, Mestre and Illia Voloshyn as the goalkeepers. Voloshyn joined the group after Courtois was ruled out, so his inclusion expands the available alternatives without disclosing the coaching staff’s order of preference.

The safest conclusion before the lineup is released is straightforward: Real Madrid has those three players available for the position. Naming any one of them as the starter in advance would go beyond the official documents. A squad list confirms availability; the lineup determines who starts.

Why the official lineup remains decisive

Courtois’ absence changes Real Madrid’s squad, but the announcement does not name his replacement in the starting eleven. Voloshyn’s addition does not mean he will start, while the presence of the other goalkeepers does not publicly establish a hierarchy for this game.

For readers seeking an immediate answer, the information has two levels. The first is confirmed: Courtois will not play and Voloshyn has been added to the group. The second — the starter’s identity — should become a fact only when it appears on the official lineup. Until then, Lunin, Mestre and Voloshyn are the documented options.

Barcelona vs. Real Madrid context

Real Madrid’s official preview describes the match at Camp Nou as the season’s first Clásico and part of the tenth league matchday. It also records Courtois’ last-minute absence.

The LaLiga match page identifies the fixture as FC Barcelona vs. Real Madrid at Spotify Camp Nou on October 25, 2026. Barcelona’s official match guide gives a 9 p.m. CET kickoff on that date. Because times and rights holders can change or differ by territory, check the official links before the match.

What to watch for before kickoff

The next piece of information capable of resolving the goalkeeper question is the official lineup. Until it is published, the precise wording remains: Courtois is out with a flu-like illness; Illia Voloshyn has been called up; and Lunin, Mestre and Voloshyn are listed in the squad.

This approach avoids turning an administrative squad change into a technical decision that has not been announced. It also respects the limit of the medical information: the club has stated the reason for this absence without publishing a prognosis for Courtois’ return.

Official sources

• Courtois announcement — Real Madrid
• El Clásico squad — Real Madrid
• Barcelona vs. Real Madrid preview — Real Madrid
• El Clásico match page — LaLiga
• Official match guide — FC Barcelona