Thibaut Courtois praises Barcelona superstar ahead of El Clasico: ‘I like him a lot’ | OneFootball

It is not often that you see a Real Madrid superstar wax lyrical about a Barcelona counterpart, but when it happens, you know it is significant.

Thibaut Courtois has delivered some significant praise for Raphinha, admitting that the Barcelona attacker remains underappreciated despite his enormous influence.

Courtois impressed by Raphinha

Speaking with Onda Cero, as quoted by Diario AS, Courtois singled out Raphinha when discussing Barça and the threats Madrid will have to deal with in the upcoming Clasico.

“I like Raphinha a lot; he’s key to his team and scores lots of goals,” Courtois said.

“He doesn’t get the recognition he deserves.”

Raphinha’s evolution as a footballer has been incredible to watch. He has become much more than the hard-working winger Barça initially signed.

Raphinha has been in sensational form since the start of the season. (Photo by Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images)

Under Hansi Flick, his pressing, movement and ability to attack central areas have transformed him into one of the team’s most decisive forwards.

Real Madrid already thinking about Raphinha

Courtois also made it clear that Madrid know exactly how dangerous he can be when the two rivals meet.

“A month from now we will have to find a way to stop him,” the Belgian added.

Raphinha has reached the point where an opponent like Madrid cannot simply prepare for Barcelona collectively.

His individual ability and goalscoring threat need special attention, and Courtois is not shying away from it.

Recognition coming late is better than none at all

There has often been a strange gap between Raphinha’s production and the wider recognition he receives.

Players with more glamorous reputations can dominate the conversation, but his importance to Flick’s Barcelona is difficult to dispute.

However, his unprecedented start to the season, where he has either scored or assisted in every game for club and country so far, has made people sit up and take notice.

Raphinha has not been nominated for the Ballon d’Or. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)

His ability to press relentlessly while still delivering goals makes him particularly awkward for Madrid. They cannot afford to give him space, nor can they sit back and let him have the ball.

Courtois may admire the Barça man, but Madrid must focus on themselves

For all of Courtois’ warm words about the Barça man, when the Clasico comes around next month, Madrid’s focus must be on themselves.

Real Madrid cannot afford to admire Barcelona’s start to the season. The onus is now on them to close the six-point gap.

As good as Raphinha or Barça can be, Madrid are a level above everyone else when they play their best game.

When El Clasico comes around, that is exactly what Los Blancos need to do, and it remains to be seen how the battle between Jose Mourinho and Hansi Flick plays out.