By Oluwamayowa Fakande
Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has been ruled out of this month’s FIFA Club World Cup due to a back injury.
In an official statement, the club confirmed that the Belgian shot-stopper has been diagnosed with sacroiliitis, an inflammation of the sacroiliac joints located between the lower back and pelvis.
“The medical staff of Real Madrid and the Royal Belgian Football Association have discussed Thibaut Courtois’ back problems intensively in recent weeks,” the Belgian FA said in a separate statement. “Both medical teams have concluded that he is unfit for the upcoming internationals.”
Real Madrid are set to begin their Club World Cup campaign on June 18 in Miami, facing Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal in their opening match.
