Real Madrid Champions League 2026–27 Roster: Lunin Out Due to Flu

Real Madrid will open its 2026–27 Champions League campaign against Inter Milan without Andriy Lunin, as the Ukrainian goalkeeper has failed to make José Mourinho’s matchday squad.

The club published its roster for the first group-stage clash, and Lunin’s name was absent. Instead, Mourinho has opted to travel with three other goalkeepers: first-choice Belgian Thibaut Courtois and Spanish duo Sergio Mestre and Javi Navarro as cover.

Lunin, who guards the posts for the Ukrainian national team, is currently on Real Madrid’s injured list. He skipped first-team training the day before the squad announcement. The reason is simple but untimely: he has come down with the flu. The club has not provided a timeline for his return, leaving his availability for the coming fixtures unclear.

Goalkeeping Situation

Behind Courtois, the situation is still untested. Neither Mestre nor Navarro has played a single minute this season. Last year, Lunin was the man called upon when Courtois was unavailable, featuring in 12 matches across competitions. He conceded 21 goals in those appearances and managed just one clean sheet, numbers that underlined both his busy workload and the defensive strain on the team when he stepped in.

Now, as Real Madrid turns toward another European campaign under Mourinho, the goalkeeping hierarchy takes on a different shape. Courtois stands alone as the established pillar. Behind him, two Spaniards wait for a debut, while Lunin battles the flu and the uncertainty of when he will pull on the gloves again.