Thibaut Courtois facts for kids
Courtois playing for Belgium at the 2022 FIFA World Cup
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| Personal information | ||||||||||||||||
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| Full name | Thibaut Nicolas Marc Courtois | |||||||||||||||
| Date of birth | 11 May 1992 | |||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Bree, Belgium | |||||||||||||||
| Height | 2.00 m (6 ft 7 in) | |||||||||||||||
| Position(s) | Goalkeeper | |||||||||||||||
| Team information | ||||||||||||||||
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Current team
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Real Madrid | |||||||||||||||
| Number | 1 | |||||||||||||||
| Youth career | ||||||||||||||||
| 1997–1999 | Bilzen V.V. | |||||||||||||||
| 1999–2009 | Genk | |||||||||||||||
| Senior career* | ||||||||||||||||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) | |||||||||||||
| 2009–2011 | Genk | 41 | (0) | |||||||||||||
| 2011–2018 | Chelsea | 126 | (0) | |||||||||||||
| 2011–2014 | → Atlético Madrid (loan) | 111 | (0) | |||||||||||||
| 2018– | Real Madrid | 187 | (0) | |||||||||||||
| International career | ||||||||||||||||
| 2009–2010 | Belgium U18 | 4 | (0) | |||||||||||||
| 2011–2023 | Belgium | 102 | (0) | |||||||||||||
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Medal record
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| *Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 17:14, 19 January 2025 (UTC) | ||||||||||||||||
Thibaut Nicolas Marc Courtois (born on 11 May 1992) is a Belgian professional footballer. He plays as a goalkeeper for La Liga club Real Madrid. Many people think he is one of the best goalkeepers ever. He is known for his quick reflexes, amazing saves, and how well he controls the area around his goal.
Courtois started his career with Genk in Belgium. He made his first team debut in 2009 when he was just 16. He quickly became their main goalkeeper and helped them win the Belgian Pro League title. In 2011, Courtois joined Chelsea in England. He was then loaned to Atlético Madrid in Spain.
At Atlético, Courtois won many trophies. These included a La Liga title, the Copa del Rey, and the Europa League. He also played in the UEFA Champions League final. He returned to Chelsea in 2014. There, he won two Premier League titles and the EFL Cup. In 2018, Courtois moved to Real Madrid. He became La Liga's most expensive goalkeeper. With Real Madrid, he has won three La Liga titles and two UEFA Champions League titles.
Courtois first played for the Belgian national team in 2011. He was 19, making him their youngest senior goalkeeper. He has played over 100 games for Belgium. He has also played in five major tournaments. At the 2018 FIFA World Cup, Courtois won the Golden Glove award. This award is for the best goalkeeper. He helped Belgium finish third, which was their best result ever at the World Cup.
Courtois has won several individual awards. He won the Ricardo Zamora Trophy three times. This award is for the goalkeeper who lets in the fewest goals in La Liga. He also won the Premier League Golden Glove once. The International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS) named him the third-best goalkeeper of the decade (2011–2020).
Contents
Club Football Career
Starting Out with Genk
Thibaut Courtois was born in Bree, Belgium. He started playing football for a local team called Bilzen V.V. He played as a left back at first. In 1999, when he was seven, he joined Racing Genk. It was there that he became a goalkeeper.
Courtois moved up through Genk's youth teams. He made his first team debut on 17 April 2009. He was 16 years old. For the 2010–11 season, he became Genk's main goalkeeper. He helped Genk win the Belgian Pro League title. He was named Goalkeeper of the Year and Genk's Player of the Year. He only let in 32 goals in 40 league games. He also kept 14 games without letting in any goals.
Playing for Atlético Madrid
In July 2011, Courtois joined Premier League club Chelsea. He signed a five-year deal. Soon after, Chelsea loaned him to Atlético Madrid for a season.
2011–12 Season: Europa League Win
Courtois played his first game for Atlético on 25 August. It was a 4–0 win in the UEFA Europa League. Three days later, he kept a clean sheet in his first La Liga game. He quickly became Atlético's main goalkeeper. He kept four clean sheets in his first six league games.
On 26 November 2011, Courtois got his first red card. This happened in a game against Real Madrid. Atlético lost that game 1–4. Atlético reached the 2012 UEFA Europa League final. Courtois kept a clean sheet in the final. His team won 3–0 against Athletic Bilbao.
2012–13 Season: Copa del Rey Victory
Courtois' loan to Atlético was extended for the 2012–13 season. His first game was against his parent club Chelsea. Atlético won 4–1 in the 2012 UEFA Super Cup. Later that season, Courtois set a new Atlético Madrid record. He went 820 minutes without letting in a goal at their home stadium.
Atlético reached the 2013 Copa del Rey Final. Courtois was named the best player in the final. Atlético won 2–1 against Real Madrid. This was the first time Atlético had beaten Real Madrid in 14 years.
2013–14 Season: La Liga Champions
Courtois' loan to Atlético was extended for another year. Atlético played Chelsea in the Champions League semi-final. UEFA said Atlético could play Courtois without paying extra money to Chelsea.
Courtois let in the fewest goals in La Liga during the 2013–14 season. He won the Ricardo Zamora Trophy. He helped Atlético win the La Liga title. This was their first league title since 1996. Atlético lost the UEFA Champions League final 1–4 to Real Madrid.
Returning to Chelsea
2014–15 Season: Double Win
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In June 2014, Chelsea manager José Mourinho said Courtois would return to Chelsea. He was given the number 13 shirt. On 18 August, Mourinho announced that Courtois would be the starting goalkeeper. He played in the first Premier League game against Burnley. Chelsea won 3–1. Courtois kept his first Premier League clean sheet in his second game.
On 11 September 2014, Courtois signed a new five-year contract with Chelsea. He said he was very happy to sign the new deal. On 5 October, Courtois got a head injury in a game against Arsenal. He was taken to hospital but was released that night.
He won his first trophy with Chelsea on 1 March 2015. Chelsea beat Tottenham Hotspur 2–0 in the League Cup final. Chelsea also won the league title that season.
2015–16 Season: Injuries and Red Cards
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Courtois started the season playing in the 2015 FA Community Shield. Chelsea lost 1–0 to Arsenal. Six days later, he got a red card in the first Premier League game. He fouled a player, leading to a penalty. Chelsea drew 2–2. On 11 September, Courtois injured his leg in training. He needed surgery and missed three months of games.
On 16 April, he was sent off again at home to Manchester City. He fouled a player for a penalty. He became the sixth Premier League goalkeeper to get two red cards in one season.
2016–17 Season: Golden Glove Winner
On 17 August 2016, Courtois said he would stay at Chelsea for many years. Ten days later, he kept his first clean sheet of the season. This was in a 3–0 win over Burnley. From 1 October to 20 November, Chelsea had six games without letting in a goal. Courtois played in all of them.
In April 2017, Courtois missed a game against Manchester United due to an ankle injury. Chelsea lost that match 0–2. On 12 May 2017, Courtois kept his third clean sheet in a row. Chelsea won 1–0 away to West Bromwich Albion. This win secured the league title for Chelsea. Courtois also played in the FA Cup final. Chelsea lost 2–1 to Arsenal.
Courtois kept 16 clean sheets in the Premier League that season. He won the Premier League Golden Glove award.
Joining Real Madrid
2018–2020: First La Liga Title
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After the 2017–18 season, Courtois wanted to move closer to his children. This started rumors about him joining Real Madrid. He played very well at the 2018 FIFA World Cup. He won the Golden Glove award there. Courtois then said he wanted to leave Chelsea. Chelsea said they would only let him go if they found a replacement. Courtois did not show up for training to try and force his move.
On 8 August 2018, Real Madrid announced they had signed Courtois. He signed a six-year contract. Chelsea confirmed the transfer for about £35 million. He played his first game for Madrid on 1 September 2018. Real Madrid won 4–1 against Leganés.
On 12 January 2020, Real Madrid beat Courtois' old club Atlético Madrid in a penalty shootout. They won their eleventh Supercopa de España title. Courtois saved a penalty in the shootout.
On 5 July 2020, Courtois kept his 17th clean sheet of the 2019–20 La Liga season. Real Madrid won the La Liga title. Courtois became the first Real Madrid goalkeeper to keep so many clean sheets since 1995. He won the Zamora Trophy for the third time. He only let in 20 goals in 34 matches.
2021–Present: Champions League Hero
On 16 August 2021, Courtois signed a new four-year contract until 2026. On 6 February 2022, he got his 100th win with Real Madrid. This was in a 1–0 victory over Granada. Courtois won his second Spanish league title with Real Madrid in the 2021–22 La Liga season.
On 28 May 2022, Courtois was named the best player in the 2022 UEFA Champions League final. He made nine saves, which helped Real Madrid beat Liverpool 1–0. His nine saves were a record in a Champions League final. He also made 59 saves during that Champions League season, which was another record.
On 10 August 2023, Real Madrid announced that Courtois had a serious knee injury. He tore a ligament in his left knee. He had surgery and was expected to be out for many months. On 19 March 2024, Courtois got injured again during training. He tore a meniscus in his right knee. This meant he would miss most of the 2023–24 season.
Two months later, on 4 May, Courtois played his first game of the season. Real Madrid won 3–0 against Cádiz. On 1 June, he started in the 2024 UEFA Champions League final. He made important saves in a 2–0 win over Borussia Dortmund. On 29 September 2024, a game between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid was stopped. Atletico Madrid fans threw objects at Courtois.
Playing for Belgium
Early International Games
Courtois was first called to the Belgium squad in October 2011. He played his first game the next month. It was a 0–0 draw against France. This made him the youngest goalkeeper to play for Belgium.
2014 World Cup Journey
Courtois played every minute of Belgium's qualifying games for the 2014 World Cup. Belgium qualified for their first major tournament since 2002. He kept six clean sheets in ten games.
On 13 May 2014, Courtois was chosen for the 2014 FIFA World Cup squad. He played all five of Belgium's games. He helped Belgium reach the quarter-finals. Argentina then beat Belgium 1–0.
Euro 2016 Campaign
Courtois played every minute of Belgium's first eight games in the Euro 2016 qualifiers. Belgium qualified for the tournament for the first time in 16 years. He missed their last two games due to an injury.
Courtois and his team reached the quarter-finals. They lost to Wales. Courtois suggested that the coach was to blame for the loss. He called the defeat the "biggest disappointment" of his career.
2018 World Cup Success
Courtois was chosen for Belgium's team for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. He was Belgium's main goalkeeper. He played a big part in Belgium's 2–1 win over Brazil in the quarter-final. This win sent Belgium to the semi-finals for the first time since 1986.
He kept two clean sheets in the group stage. He only let in one goal in Belgium's loss to France in the semi-final. He also kept another clean sheet against England in the third-place game. Courtois made 27 saves in seven World Cup games. This was more than any other goalkeeper. He won the World Cup Golden Glove award for being the best goalkeeper.
UEFA Euro 2020 and 2022 World Cup
On 17 May 2021, he was chosen for the team for UEFA Euro 2020. In November 2022, he was named in the squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. On 1 December, he played his 100th game for Belgium. This was a 0–0 draw against Croatia. He became the first Belgian goalkeeper to reach 100 games.
Missing Euro 2024
Courtois played in two of Belgium's qualifying matches for UEFA Euro 2024. He got a serious knee injury in August 2023. This meant he would miss many months of play. Even though he recovered and helped Real Madrid win the Champions League, he was not chosen for the Euros. There was a disagreement between Courtois and Belgium's manager, Domenico Tedesco. Courtois was not made captain during a Euro 2024 qualifier. Courtois later said he would not be part of Belgium's team for the 2024 tournament. The manager confirmed this in April 2024.
On 22 August 2024, Courtois said he would not return to the national team for now. He said the disagreement with Tedesco was the main reason.
How Courtois Plays
Thibaut Courtois is seen as one of the best goalkeepers in the world. He is called a "complete goalkeeper" because he is good at so many things. He is very consistent and has a great sense of where to be on the field. He is calm and strong, and he talks well with his defenders.
He is excellent in one-on-one situations. He knows when to rush out of his goal to face attackers. He can also act like a "sweeper-keeper," coming out of his box to clear the ball. He is great at stopping shots, even though he is tall and strong. He is also very agile and has quick reflexes.
In the 2016–17 season, he said his coach helped him improve his footwork and diving. This made him more explosive and quicker to get to the ground. Because of his height, he is good in the air. He is known for controlling his penalty area well. He is also good at catching crosses. He can also throw the ball long distances to start attacks.
Life Outside Football
Personal Life
Courtois speaks Dutch, French, Spanish, and English. His older sister, Valérie Courtois, is a volleyball player. She plays for the Belgium women's national volleyball team. His parents were also volleyball players. Thibaut played volleyball when he was a child. But he decided to focus on football when he was 12.
On 26 May 2015, his Spanish girlfriend Marta Domínguez had their daughter, Adriana. The couple broke up in April 2017. Marta was pregnant with their son Nicolás, who was born a month later.
He has been in a relationship with Israeli model Mishel Gerzig since July 2021. They adopted a dog together. In June 2022, they got engaged. They got married a year later.
Racing Interest
Outside of football, Courtois is very interested in Formula 1 racing. He has attended races like the Monaco and Spanish Grand Prix. In 2021, Courtois took part in the 2021 F1 Virtual Grand Prix championship. He drove for the Alfa Romeo team.
In May 2023, Courtois started his own Formula 4 team called TC Racing. He plans to enter it into the Spanish F4 championship. The team is based near Madrid. It was officially approved to compete in November 2023. Courtois has an administrative role in the team. He hired Roberto Merhi as the sporting director and driver coach. The team raced for the first time in May 2024.
Career Statistics
Club Games
| Club | Season | League | National cup | League cup | Europe | Other | Total | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Genk | 2008–09 | Belgian First Division | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | 1 | 0 | |||
| 2009–10 | Belgian Pro League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2010–11 | Belgian Pro League | 40 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 3 | 0 | — | 44 | 0 | |||
| Total | 41 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 45 | 0 | |||
| Atlético Madrid (loan) | 2011–12 | La Liga | 37 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 15 | 0 | — | 52 | 0 | ||
| 2012–13 | La Liga | 37 | 0 | 8 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 46 | 0 | ||
| 2013–14 | La Liga | 37 | 0 | 5 | 0 | — | 12 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 56 | 0 | ||
| Total | 111 | 0 | 13 | 0 | — | 27 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 154 | 0 | |||
| Chelsea | 2014–15 | Premier League | 32 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 0 | — | 39 | 0 | |
| 2015–16 | Premier League | 23 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 30 | 0 | |
| 2016–17 | Premier League | 36 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 39 | 0 | |||
| 2017–18 | Premier League | 35 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 46 | 0 | |
| Total | 126 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 16 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 154 | 0 | ||
| Real Madrid | 2018–19 | La Liga | 27 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 5 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 35 | 0 | |
| 2019–20 | La Liga | 34 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 7 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 43 | 0 | ||
| 2020–21 | La Liga | 38 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 12 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 51 | 0 | ||
| 2021–22 | La Liga | 36 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 13 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 52 | 0 | ||
| 2022–23 | La Liga | 31 | 0 | 5 | 0 | — | 10 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 49 | 0 | ||
| 2023–24 | La Liga | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | ||
| 2024–25 | La Liga | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 5 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 26 | 0 | ||
| Total | 187 | 0 | 7 | 0 | — | 53 | 0 | 14 | 0 | 261 | 0 | |||
| Career total | 465 | 0 | 28 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 99 | 0 | 19 | 0 | 617 | 0 | ||
International Games
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Belgium | 2011 | 1 | 0 |
| 2012 | 6 | 0 | |
| 2013 | 7 | 0 | |
| 2014 | 13 | 0 | |
| 2015 | 6 | 0 | |
| 2016 | 14 | 0 | |
| 2017 | 8 | 0 | |
| 2018 | 15 | 0 | |
| 2019 | 9 | 0 | |
| 2020 | 2 | 0 | |
| 2021 | 13 | 0 | |
| 2022 | 6 | 0 | |
| 2023 | 2 | 0 | |
| Total | 102 | 0 | |
Awards and Trophies
Genk
- Belgian Pro League: 2010–11
Atlético Madrid
- La Liga: 2013–14
- Copa del Rey: 2012–13
- UEFA Europa League: 2011–12
- UEFA Super Cup: 2012
- UEFA Champions League runner-up: 2013–14
Chelsea
- Premier League: 2014–15, 2016–17
- FA Cup: 2017–18; runner-up: 2016–17
- Football League Cup: 2014–15
Real Madrid
- La Liga: 2019–20, 2021–22, 2023–24
- Copa del Rey: 2022–23
- Supercopa de España: 2020, 2022
- UEFA Champions League: 2021–22, 2023–24
- UEFA Super Cup: 2022, 2024
- FIFA Club World Cup: 2018
- FIFA Intercontinental Cup: 2024
Belgium
- FIFA World Cup third place: 2018
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Individual Awards
- Belgian Professional Goalkeeper of the Year: 2011
- Belgian Bronze Shoe: 2011
- La Liga Zamora Trophy: 2012–13, 2013–14, 2019–20
- La Liga Goalkeeper of the Season: 2012–13
- Best Belgian Player Abroad: 2013, 2014
- ESM Team of the Year: 2013–14, 2021–22
- UEFA Champions League Squad of the Season: 2013–14, 2020–21
- UEFA Champions League Team of the Season: 2021–22, 2022–23
- Belgian Sportsman of the year: 2014
- Premier League Golden Glove: 2016–17
- FIFA World Cup Golden Glove: 2018
- FIFA World Cup Fantasy Team: 2018
- FIFA World Cup Dream Team: 2018
- The Best FIFA Goalkeeper: 2018
- IFFHS World's Best Goalkeeper: 2018, 2022
- IFFHS Men's World Team: 2018, 2022
- La Liga Player of the Month: January 2020, February 2022
- La Liga Team of the Season: 2021–22
- FIFA FIFPRO World 11: 2022, 2023
- Yashin Trophy: 2022
- Globe Soccer Career Award: 2024
See also
In Spanish: Thibaut Courtois para niños
- List of men's footballers with 100 or more international caps
