Real Madrid are beginning to think, slowly but surely, about life after Thibaut Courtois. The Belgian remains one of the best goalkeepers in world football, but at 34, the Spanish giants know they must prepare for the future.
For more than two decades, Real Madrid have enjoyed remarkable stability between the posts. Iker Casillas protected the club’s goal for more than a decade, Diego López provided reliable service, Keylor Navas became a Champions League legend, and then Courtois arrived to establish himself among the greatest goalkeepers in the club’s history.
However, even Courtois cannot play forever, and Madrid are already considering the options available when the time eventually comes to replace him.
Courtois remains number one, but Madrid are planning ahead
Courtois has returned impressively from the serious cruciate ligament injury that threatened to interrupt his career. Nevertheless, the Belgian has suffered several physical problems in recent seasons.
He missed important matches, including last season’s Champions League quarter-final against Bayern Munich, while he was also forced off during Belgium’s World Cup quarter-final against Spain.
There is currently no immediate concern at the Santiago Bernabéu. Courtois remains the undisputed first-choice goalkeeper and continues to perform at an elite level. But Real Madrid have built much of their recent success on anticipating problems before they become urgent.
According to AS, the club have therefore started studying potential successors.
Andriy Lunin is naturally one of the candidates. The Ukrainian has already demonstrated his quality when replacing Courtois, but Real Madrid are not expected to simply hand him the number-one position in the future. Lunin would have to prove that he can handle the pressure and consistency required to become Madrid’s permanent starting goalkeeper.
Donnarumma no longer appears to be the priority
Gianluigi Donnarumma’s name was also mentioned at one stage. The Italian international was available when he left Paris Saint-Germain, but Real Madrid did not consider signing another elite goalkeeper a necessity at that moment.
Several other names have appeared in the Spanish media, although none have developed into a particularly serious option.
Instead, Madrid may already have Courtois’ eventual successor inside their own academy.
🚨 Le Real Madrid considère Javi Navarro comme le SUCCESSEUR à long-terme de Courtois. ✅🧤
— RMadrid actu 🇫🇷 (@RMadrid_actu) August 17, 2026
👀 Le club a une TOTALE CONFIANCE en lui, mais souhaite quand même être patient.@diarioas pic.twitter.com/i4Fb0M425y
Javi Navarro emerging as the favourite
According to AS, the goalkeeper attracting increasing attention within Valdebebas is Javi Navarro.
The young Spaniard has impressed enormously with Real Madrid’s youth teams and played a decisive role in the Under-19 side’s Youth League triumph. Navarro was one of the stars of the competition, producing particularly impressive performances in the semi-final against Paris Saint-Germain and the final against Club Brugge.
His development has continued with Castilla, where he has again shown maturity, reflexes and personality beyond his years.
Inside Real Madrid, confidence in Navarro is reportedly extremely high. Club officials believe he possesses the technical ability, mentality and potential required to eventually compete at the highest level.
There is still a long road ahead, and replacing Courtois will be an enormous challenge for whoever is chosen. But while Lunin and possible external signings remain options, Real Madrid increasingly believe that the goalkeeper capable of succeeding their Belgian superstar may already be at home.
His name is Javi Navarro.
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