The Spanish goalkeeper is sidelined after an injury during the pre-match warm-up against Braga at the Bernabéu.
Kepa Arrizabalaga was a disappointing note for Real Madrid in the Whites’ 3-0 win over SC Braga on the fourth matchday of the Champions League group stage. The starting goalkeeper for the lineup at the Santiago Bernabéu was forced to watch from the bench at the last moment, with Andriy Lunin stepping in. The Ukrainian performed solidly, saving a penalty in the opening minutes of the first half and keeping a clean sheet.
Video overview of Real Madrid versus Braga in the 2023-2024 Champions League season
Kepa Arrizabalaga injured at Real Madrid what happened, how long is he out and which games will he miss
There had been every expectation that Kepa would guard the goal against Braga, a scenario that had occurred earlier in the season when Courtois was unavailable. Yet in the warm-up the former Athletic Club and Chelsea shot-stopper was pulled from the starting XI.
The decision to replace Kepa came after a muscle injury surfaced during the warm-up before the match, leading to Lunin taking his place between the posts for Real Madrid.
While Real Madrid had not released an official medical bulletin at that moment, Goal reported that Kepa has a small tear based on tests conducted. The injury could keep him out for two to three weeks. He is set to undergo an MRI on Friday, which will provide more precise details.
Under the current timetable, Kepa is expected to miss Real Madrid’s fixture with Valencia at the Bernabéu next weekend and the international break with Spain, which includes friendlies or qualifiers against Cyprus and Georgia as part of the European Championship qualifying campaign.
Prognosis will clarify whether he can return in the first match after the FIFA international window, with Real Madrid traveling to Cádiz on November 26. If he cannot, a potential return could come against Napoli on November 29 or Granada on December 2.
At this stage, the plan remains to manage the goalkeeper’s fitness carefully while Lunin continues to provide reliable coverage for major fixtures and the upcoming schedule. The team will monitor the injury closely and adjust as necessary to maintain form in domestic and European competition.