Lunin's stance on his future: decision made and Real Madrid already know it

Apart from the mainly blamed for the poor performance during the 24/25 campaign, one of the first-team footballers who could leave this summer is Andriy Lunin. Real Madrid's "13" remains, after four years in Santiago Bernabéu locker room, overshadowed by one of the best goalkeepers in the world: the Belgian goalkeeper  Thibaut Courtois.

His situation in the first team hasn't improved: that's why he threatened to leave the Spanish capital during the summer transfer window of 2024... although in the end he found common ground with Real Madrid and renewed his contract until mid-2030. That signature provides financial security for the club now that his possible departure is once again on the table: Lunin will bring in some money if he leaves for good.

Xabi Alonso's arrival on the home bench at Santiago Bernabéu wouldn't bring many changes to Andriy Lunin's role in the first team. Everything suggests that the Basque coach would also choose Courtois over Lunin for the main starting line-up, giving him competitions like the Copa del Rey. The European goalkeeper believes he deserves more playing time, beyond his current role as a top-level substitute.

Not only because of the excellent performance he showed during the most difficult part of the 23/24 campaign. His heroic performances in the decisive stretch of the league season, as well as his outstanding display in that edition of the Champions League, deprived him of the big prize: the final at Wembley.

He is running out of options

Now he would have a chance to prove himself and show Xabi Alonso that the goalkeeping debate isn't under control. The sacroiliitis that Real Madrid's medical staff have diagnosed in Thibaut Courtois is a golden opportunity... even though multiple sources confirm that the Belgian "1" would be available for that competition to be played in the United States.

There is no doubt that he'll arrive at the World Cup event with Real Madrid not fully fit. That's why Xabi Alonso could place Andriy Lunin in his tactical plans for the tournament organized by FIFA, a competition that would serve as the limit to the contractual situation of the "13" Madridist. Lunin plans to speak with Xabi Alonso after that Club World Cup in June and July.

Above all, to learn about the Basque coach's plans for the coming seasons, starting with the 25/26 season. At the end of that season, Thibaut Courtois could leave Santiago Bernabéu locker room as a free agent... making it easier for Andriy Lunin himself to succeed him.

But the Belgian "1" isn't the only competition for the Ukrainian "13". In addition to his current teammate, the possibility that Real Madrid could sign a top-level goalkeeper in upcoming transfer windows is real. That move would be decisive for Andriy Lunin, who would trigger the "exit operation" from the Madridist first team.