Real Madrid star reignites war of words with La Liga president – ‘What I said was common sense’ | OneFootball

Real Madrid were one of the pioneers of the movement that saw La Liga’s plan of taking a game overseas collapse at the nth minute, for they put pressure from multiple channels to make it clear how unfair it was.

While the board played a massive role, the players individually spoke out and made their discontent clear as well to send a resounding message to the league offices. Thibaut Courtois was one such outspoken star.

The Belgian international made it clear that he saw the decision to be one that threatened the integrity of the competition, and the La Liga president Javier Tebas soon hit back out claiming that his statements were being pushed forward by the club to make a point.

Courtois’ rebuttal

The Real Madrid star sat down with COPE for a detailed interview wherein he was asked his response to La Liga president Javier Tebas claiming his statements were forced or pushed by the club.

“No one has to send me. In my career, I have always said what I think and that has brought me a lot of trouble too, because then people are waiting for you to play a bad game to go against you,” he began, making it clear that he was sharing his own views and not that of an agenda being pushed out.

He then explained his thoughts on how La Liga taking games abroad cannot be equated to the NBA or the NFL.

“No one has told me anything and what I said was common sense.”

Tebas had lashed out at Courtois in the past. (Photo by Arnold Jerocki/Getty Images For Sportel)

“Everyone knows that playing a game in Miami cannot be decided this way and that the NFL has done it well. And if we want to do it like them, we will have to find a way to reach an agreement,” he added.

He then explained what he meant by taking games abroad affecting the ‘integrity’ of the competition, saying,

“But if I have to play with Betis in their stadium, it will be much more difficult than playing in Miami, where most fans are from Real Madrid.”

Courtois was then asked how he would approach Javier Tebas if he ever ran into the league president, to which he said that he would appreciate an open conversation.

“Yes, of course. I would love to have a face-to-face debate with Tebas. I have no problem talking to him in private. I would give you my opinion as a player of what I think is best for the League and for my team and then we can talk.”

“It’s okay to give an opinion, argue and maybe I learn something from what he says and Tebas learns something from what I say,” he concluded.