Real Madrid’s Thibaut Courtois has proven to be the best goalkeeper in the world

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez had hoped for a ‘Galactico’ goalkeeper in Thibaut Courtois. David de Gea was chosen as Real Madrid’s potential number one goalkeeper when Iker Casillas faded. The Manchester United goalkeeper agreed to agreement with Real Madrid in 2015, only for the deal to collapse at the final minute.

Perez waited another three years for a new goalkeeper, but it was Courtois, not De Gea, who joined. Many felt Courtois’ arrival as unnecessary after Keylor Navas established himself as Real Madrid’s number one goalkeeper. The Belgian’s debut season with his new squad was not easy.

Courtois, on the other hand, has progressed to the point that he is now regarded as one of the top goalkeepers in the world. Real Madrid might not have won La Liga this season if the 30-year-old had been in goal. Because of Courtois’ efforts in the knockout rounds, they almost probably would not have made the Champions League final.

Barely a Real Madrid match passes without Courtois pulling off at least one stunning save. His reflexes are sharper than any other goalkeeper’s at the elite level of the European game right now and that’s just as well for Real Madrid, who can be defensively vulnerable. Courtois makes up for a lot.

No goalkeeper has made more saves than Courtois in La Liga this season. Only two goalkeepers have made more saves than him in the Champions League. The Belgian has stopped 77% of shots on target he has faced in the competition this season, illustrating his importance to Ancelotti’s Real Madrid.

Other goalkeepers recognize Courtois’ brilliance, even if the 30-year-old isn’t always recognized for it. Unai Simon of Athletic Bilbao and Spain remarked about Courtois, “There isn’t enough appreciation.” “Courtois’ effort is undervalued, yet he is a key member of the team. Madrid has many talents, such as Benzema, Modric, and Kroos, but they would not have won without him.”

Ancelotti sees it too. “The list is long,” the former AC Milan, Bayern Munich, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain boss answered when asked if Courtois is currently the world’s best goalkeeper. “Iker Casillas, Diego Lopez, Gianluigi Buffon, Petr Cech, Manuel Neuer but for us here he is the best in this moment.”

While Courtois was already a league winner with Atletico Madrid and Chelsea by the time he joined Real Madrid, he has worked hard to prove himself. No other club is so demanding of its players – just look at how Gareth Bale has been vilified by his own supporters despite achieving so much during his time in Spain.

Courtois had to prove himself not only to Real Madrid’s supporters, but also to their management. The Belgian goalkeeper revealed that he and Zinedine Zidane had “distance” and that his arrival at the Santiago Bernabeu in 2018 threatened to disrupt the dressing room’s chemistry. Sergio Ramos had a special relationship with Navas, the goalkeeper Courtois was brought in to replace.

The famously tough Spanish press constantly harassed Courtois, even speculating that the Belgian had an anxiety attack during a match without any evidence. Most supporters preferred Navas to start over Courtois, with many seeing the Costa Rican as a better option at the moment, according to a poll.

Courtois, on the other hand, acquired Zidane’s trust over time and has been Real Madrid’s clear first-choice goalkeeper for several seasons. While the 30-year-use old’s of the ball and delivery out of the back aren’t particularly modern, there are few better at keeping the ball out of the net right now.