The biography of Thibaut Courtois

The young Thibaut was only five years old when his parents arranged for him to play for Bilzerse VV, a modest Belgian club. KRC Genk then acquired his services. It was at said club that he first played as a left back, eventually becoming a goalkeeper, a position in which he would develop professionally.

The 17th of April, 2009, was Courtois’ professional debut, while he was still two years old. It took him until 2010-2011 to become KRC Genk’s starting goalkeeper.

Chelsea scouts were attracted to Thibaut Courtois after he won goalkeeper of the year in the Belgian league. On July 11, 2011, the London club completed the transfer of the goalkeeper. Atlético de Madrid loaned the player until the end of the season, however.

Atletico Madrid’s Courtois

On May 25, 2011, Courtois made his Atlético de Madrid debut, playing in a qualifying match for the Europa League, which the colchoneros won. Three days later, he made his league debut in a goalless draw.

In the end, Chelsea decided to keep him on loan for another season in the Spanish team. In two months, the Londoners would make the same mistake, as Atlético de Madrid won the European Super Cup (4-1) over Chelsea.

The 2012-2013 League saw Thibaut Courtois win the Zamora for the first time in his career, an award given to the goalkeeper with the fewest goals allowed. Atlético also won the Cup that year after beating Real Madrid (2-1) in the final.

Chelsea asked Courtois to stay at the mattress club for another year in the summer of 2013. Blues accepted, and the goalkeeper helped them win the League title.

Please note

In the domestic league, Diego Pablo Simeone’s team broke FC Barcelona and Real Madrid’s hegemony.

Atlético Madrid eliminated Chelsea from the 2013-2014 Champions League semifinals with their hands on their heads. The blues’ dream of playing in the final of the European Championship was dashed by Courtois’ excellent performance.

On May 24, 2014, Atlético lost the Champions League final. Sergio Ramos equalized with a header with a minute left in the game, forcing extra time. Real Madrid triumphed over a demoralized Atlético to win the European championship.

Glove of gold

As a result of this sad end, the goalkeeper played in the World Cup in Brazil with his team. At the World Cup, Belgium reached the quarterfinals, where they were beaten by the Argentine team (1-0).

The last member of the Chelsea squad to travel to London was Thibaut Courtois. His four seasons with the Blues saw him concede 151 goals in 154 games and win the Golden Glove for best goalkeeper in 2017.

Please note

In terms of the collective, he won two Premier Leagues, one FA Cup, and one League Cup with Chelsea.

Belgium reached the semifinals of the 2018 World Cup in Russia by beating England, Japan, and Brazil. The goal scored by France’s defender Samuel Umtiti gave Courtois no chance to stop France’s passage to the final. Even so, the Belgian won the Golden Glove award at the World Cup.

Real Madrid welcomes Thibaut Courtois

Thibaut Courtoisto is signed by Real Madrid for 35 million euros on August 8, 2018.

His debut with the white team took place at the Santiago Bernabéu against Leganés. A penalty goal conceded by the goalkeeper didn’t stop Real Madrid (4-1) from defeating their rival.

Despite being uncertain at the start of the season, Courtois managed to establish himself as the club’s number one goalkeeper, to the detriment of Costa Rican Keylor Navas, who was instrumental in three consecutive Champions League wins.