Real Madrid Goalkeeper Lunin Withdraws from Ukraine Squad Due to Back Issue

When the first international break of the 2025-26 season arrived, Real Madrid faced their first setback as goalkeeper Andriy Lunin had to withdraw from Ukraine’s national squad due to a lower back problem. The 26-year-old reportedly sustained the injury during the warm-up ahead of Real Madrid’s match against Mallorca at the Santiago Bernabeu. Despite traveling to the Ukraine camp, the national team excused him from the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers against France on 5 September and Azerbaijan on 9 September.

Lunin’s return to Madrid means he will join the group of players staying at Valdebebas during the international break. Typically, the training ground is less crowded as multiple players are away with their national teams. Currently, twelve Real Madrid players are on international duty, including Dani Carvajal, Dean Huijsen, Kylian Mbappe, Antonio Rudiger, David Alaba, Thibaut Courtois, Fede Valverde, and others. Additionally, key regulars like Rodrygo, Vinicius Jr., Eder Militao, Jude Bellingham, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Eduardo Camavinga remain at the club, some due to injuries such as Endrick and Bellingham.