{
  "id": 16470031,
  "title": "JUST IN: Madrid’s Courtois ruled out of El Clásico with illness",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/25/just-in-madrids-courtois-ruled-out-of-el-clasico-with-illness",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-25T12:06:51.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch",
    "slug": "punch",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/just-in-madrids-courtois-ruled-out-of-el-clasico-with-illness/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has been ruled out of Real Madrid's upcoming El Clásico against Barcelona due to a flu-like illness, according to the club's statement on their website. Courtois, 34, will be replaced by 19-year-old Ukrainian goalkeeper Illia Voloshyn for what is considered a last-minute absence. The Belgian will miss tonight's match, which is the tenth matchday of La Liga, as Real Madrid prepares to face their local rivals Barcelona. The Catalan club currently leads the domestic league with six points clear of Madrid, who sit in third place. Barcelona has won all nine games this season, amassing 27 points, and is aiming to secure their tenth consecutive league victory, a record previously set by Madrid in 1968-69. However, they will be without their Brazilian winger Vinícius Júnior, who is serving a four-game domestic ban. Madrid will also be without Vinícius and will rely on young talent to fill the void left by the absent Courtois.",
  "summary": "Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has been ruled out of the El Clásico match against Barcelona after contracting a flu-like illness, the club said. Read More: https://punchng.com/just-in-madrids-courtois-ruled-out-of-el-clasico-with-illness/",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Premium Times",
        "title": "El Clásico: UNILAG to host watch party as Barcelona face Real Madrid",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/23/el-clasico-unilag-to-host-watch-party-as-barcelona-face-real-madrid",
        "published": "2026-10-23T10:25:40.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Daily Post Nigeria",
        "title": "El Clásico: Mourinho names strong Real Madrid squad to face Barcelona",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/24/el-clasico-mourinho-names-strong-real-madrid-squad-to-face-barcelona",
        "published": "2026-10-24T17:24:34.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "El Pais",
        "title": "Keys to a classic with Rodri and Mourinho",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/25/claves-de-un-clasico-con-rodri-y-mourinho",
        "published": "2026-10-25T04:30:01.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}