Courtois talks Mbappe, Cristiano, Vinicius, Ancelotti, Alonso, injury, Real Madrid form and future | OneFootball

Real Madrid superstar and goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois reviewed the team’s current situation during a conversation on El Partidazo de COPE.

Real Madrid lead La Liga with only one defeat and remain among the top eight in the Champions League after four matches. However, they went into the international break, which Courtois missed due to an injury, on the back of two winless games.

On Real Madrid’s form

Addressing the idea that Real Madrid were in a small crisis, Courtois remarked: “Well… when we draw or lose a match, there is always talk of a crisis and there is always more noise outside than inside.

“The match against Liverpool I do not think was good and we lost deservedly. And against Rayo I do not think it was that bad; it is always difficult to play in Vallecas and in recent years we have always struggled to win there.

“We know we have to improve and now we have a complicated month with many matches away. We will try to do well and we have to go to Elche to win.”

Providing an update on his fitness, Courtois was also confident about featuring at the weekend against Elche after missing Belgium duty.

“Yes, I will be fine for the match. It was a small injury for which I had to rest and recover. I have already trained on the pitch and gradually I will be at 100 per cent,” he said.

“Last year I already went through two injuries in the adductor and I want to protect myself to not take risks and miss five or six weeks of competition.”

“That is why I was surprised by all the fuss in Belgium because they thought I was avoiding the national team. And that is not the case because every match I play with the national team is beautiful.”

On Xabi Alonso

On the debate surrounding Xabi Alonso’s post-match analysis after the Liverpool defeat, he explained that perceptions from outside do not always match what the players feel on the pitch.

“From the outside matches always look different to what we experience on the pitch. On the pitch I did feel that in the first half vs Liverpool we had the match fairly controlled and their chances were a long shot, a poor clearance and a set piece,” he said.

“Although in the second half, as against Rayo, we struggled to create danger in attack; but Liverpool were better.”

The veteran star strongly rejected reports of tension between players and the manager, saying:

No issues between Real Madrid players and Alonso, insists Courtois. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

“I do not feel that there is not a good relationship with the manager. But in the dressing room there will always be people who are a bit unhappy for not playing as much or for playing differently.

“But we always talk about things face to face in meetings and there is no problem. And I am 33 years old and I can bring that order, but it is something we have not needed because we are all going in the same direction.”

On comparisons between Alonso and his predecessor Carlo Ancelotti, Courtois noted their contrasting styles.

“They are different things, different atmospheres. Ancelotti is almost like a father turning into a grandfather for some and he has that charisma that is different to Xabi, who is younger and more modern.

“They are two very good managers, each coaching in their own way. I have won a lot with Carlo and I will always be grateful to him; but to say that we miss something from him would be disrespectful to Xabi.”

After losses in big games vs PSG, Atletico Madrid, and Liverpool, the goalkeeper rejected the idea that the upcoming clash against Manchester City should be viewed as an exam for Alonso.

“I think it is unfair because we have also won matches against other big teams. Away from home it has been difficult for us against big teams, but we also lost due to our own mistakes,” he said.

“But the match against City comes after playing against Olympiacos, whom we have to beat to remain among the top eight and not play the February play-off.”

He praised the form of Pep Guardiola’s side, highlighting Jeremy Doku and Erling Haaland as threats.

“Yes, I have seen them. And they have my compatriot Doku, who is at a good level and is brilliant. He is very fast and we will have to stop him, Haaland and a few others. But I am convinced that we can do it because we have a great team,” he said.

Courtois reflected on his own standing among goalkeepers around the world, explaining: “One of the best I surely am, but it depends on each person’s taste and everyone is free to have an opinion. In the end, what I have to do is help my club and what people think…”

When asked to name his personal top three, he avoided placing himself on the list: “I will take myself out. Currently… this year Oblak is at a great level. I like Allison a lot, although he is injured. And David Raya I also like a lot.”

On Mbappe, Vinicius

Regarding the incident with Vinicius Jr. in the Clasico, Courtois confirmed that it was resolved, saying:

“He apologised and we have moved on. In the end, we are all human and we can all react like that in a match of high tension. It is something that has happened to me and to many people. But he has apologised to the whole team and all the coaching staff.”

Courtois also compared his teammate Kylian Mbappe to club legend Cristiano Ronaldo, as he said:

“I was not with Cristiano because the summer I arrived at Real Madrid he went to Juventus. I think they are two different players, but Cristiano still has a bit more winning mentality than Kylian.

“But this year we have seen more of that mentality in Kylian, he has shifted up a gear and is carrying the team a lot. You can see that he is a leader and every match it will show more.”

Mbappe has levelled up this season, reckons Courtois. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

On the captaincy hierarchy at the club, he clarified: “Well, in theory the captain is the player who signed first. And Vinicius arrived first, although at first he played with Castilla.

“But for me it is not a problem and I am proud to be one of the four captains of Real Madrid. Although the most important thing is that everyone pulls in the same direction.”

On his career, future

Courtois also revealed that he keeps track of his own statistics thanks to his father.

“I think I have played more than 300 matches and they will have scored a few fewer goals… 290. And I think clean sheets are more than 100,” he said.

“I know because my father, since I started my career, has an Excel sheet with every match played and he tells me what match I am on.”

On comparisons with Real Madrid’s legendary goalkeepers, he was modest. “No. Well, someone has told me so or I have seen it, but I think there is ‘a Saint’, which is Iker Casillas, who means a lot to Madridistas and Spanish football.

Continuing, he added: “But hearing your name among those names is already a compliment. To be remembered as one of the best, you have to win trophies and that is what I try to do.

“I dreamt at eight years old of being goalkeeper of Real Madrid; I am here and every day here is beautiful. It is where I am happiest.”

Looking at his long-term future, he hopes to continue for many more years.

“Seeing that Buffon has played until forty-something… I do not think I will go that far, but Neuer at 38 or 39 is at a great level. In my head I have always had that idea of 38 or 39 and hopefully it will be at Real Madrid,” said Courtois.

“And if it cannot be, when the club consider it, I will step aside and there will not be any problems. I am happy here and I understand that at some point they will want to put someone else in my place.

“It is natural and I experienced it already with Petr Cech; I learned a lot with him and in difficult moments he was there with me. I will never be different to him and, if tomorrow the club want something else, I will continue helping because for me the team is always the priority,” he concluded.