Real Madrid's Champions League Opener vs Inter Milan Without Lunin

Real Madrid will open its 2026–27 Champions League campaign against Inter Milan without Andriy Lunin, as the Ukrainian goalkeeper has been left out of José Mourinho’s squad for the group-stage curtain-raiser.

Lunin, who missed first-team training the day before the squad announcement, is on the club’s injured list after coming down with the flu. The club has not given a timeline for his return, leaving his short-term status uncertain as the European season kicks into gear.

Mourinho has opted to take three goalkeepers to face Inter. Thibaut Courtois will start as the undisputed No. 1, with Spaniards Sergio Mestre and Javi Navarro named as his backups. Neither of Courtois’s understudies has played a single minute this season, underlining how firmly the Belgian holds the gloves at the Bernabéu.

For Lunin, the setback comes after a mixed previous campaign. The Ukraine international featured in 12 matches last season, conceding 21 goals and recording just one clean sheet. Now illness has halted his bid to challenge again for minutes just as Real Madrid’s Champions League journey begins.

The club’s press service confirmed Lunin’s absence from the roster, locking in Madrid’s goalkeeping hierarchy for the trip to Milan.