La Liga giants Real Madrid received a blow in their 2023 preparations after main goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois tore his ACL during training.

The club made the announcement on its website. It wrote in the Spanish language:

"After the tests carried out on our player Thibaut Courtois, he was diagnosed with a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament of the left knee. The player will undergo surgery in the next few days."

With surgery on schedule, he is expected to be out for the rest of the season to recuperate.

Courtois joined Real Madrid in 2018 and has been regarded as the world's best goalkeeper based on the club's 2022 run that saw them win four trophies.

Names being floated as the Belgian's replacement

Courtois reportedly left the training in tears, but the Los Blancos are moving on quickly as the time to integrate a new keeper dwindles by the day.

La Liga will open on August 12, with Real Madrid set to visit Athletic Club.

The name that instantly popped up as the club's new GK is David De Gea, whose legendary career at Manchester United ended after the English club signed Andre Onana.

A trusted fan website wrote:

"Real Madrid will explore the transfer market to find a replacement for Thibaut Courtois after the Belgian goalkeeper suffered an ACL injury during Thursday's training, according to club sources. The main option to play in Courtois' absence is David De Gea, who is still a free agent. Chelsea's Kepa, Sevilla's Bono and Valencia's Mamardashvili would also be considered, per those same sources."