Thibaut Courtois has been one of the best goalkeepers in world football since coming into prominence with Atletico Madrid in the early 2010s. A player with a tall, commanding frame, the Belgian is much quicker than his height gives away and uses his length to make the toughest of saves seem regulation.
Originally a Chelsea player, Courtois spent three years on loan at Atletico between 2011-14, where he was their starting custodian. He then became the Blues’ first-choice in 2014 until 2018, before leaving for Real Madrid, where he has established himself as a modern great. He has also been Belgium’s first-choice for nearly a decade now.
Having said that, let’s take a look at where his career began.
Thibaut Courtiois: Bio & Team Details
- Full Name – Thibaut Nicolas Marc Courtois.
- Date of Birth – 11 May 1992.
- Place of Birth – Bree, Belgium.
- Professional Debut – 17 April 2009, for Genk.
- Current Club – Real Madrid.
- Jersey Number – 1.
- Position – Goalkeeper.
Thibaut Courtois: Early Life & Origin Story
Courtois was born in Bree, Belgium, and began his playing career as a left-back in the local side Bilzen VV’s academy. However, he joined Racing Genk shortly after, where his journey as a goalkeeper began. He broke into Genk’s senior team after then-first-choice Koen Casteels was injured, allowing a 16-year-old Courtois to make his professional debut.
He was a key figure in his club’s title win in 2010-11, playing 40 matches and keeping 14 clean sheets along the way. As a result, Courtois was named the Goalkeeper of the Year and also Genk’s Player of the Year. His performances led to Chelsea signing the promising custodian for €9 million in July 2011, with the player being immediately loaned out to Atletico Madrid shortly after.
Atletico Madrid (2011-14)
Courtois made his debut for Atletico Madrid in a Europa League clash against Portuguese side Vitoria de Guimaraes, which they won 4-0. He soon became Atleti’s first-choice goalkeeper ahead of Sergio Asenjo and kept four clean sheets in his first six LaLiga games. The Belgian performed well in his first season and ended the campaign as Europa League winner.
The beginning of the following season saw Courtois face parent club Chelsea in the UEFA Super Cup, which Atletico Madrid won comprehensively (4-1). The following season as well, he was allowed to face the Blues in the Champions League.
Overall, he made 154 appearances for Atletico Madrid, conceding just 125 goals and keeping 76 clean sheets in the process.
Chelsea (2014-18)
Ahead of the 2014-15 season, Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho confirmed that Thibaut Courtois would be returning to the club and would be the first choice. He signed a new five-year contract just a few months into that season and performed well, ending the campaign as League Cup winner.
Over the seasons, he added solidity at the back to multiple Chelsea sides that were transitioning or even ready to win. He made a total of 154 appearances for the Blues as well, conceding 152 goals and keeping 58 clean sheets.
Later in 2018, the Belgian forced a move to Real Madrid.
Real Madrid (2018- Present Day)
Los Blancos acquired Thibaut Courtois’ services from Chelsea in a deal worth £35 million in August 2018. He made his debut for the club a month later as he started in a 4-1 win against Leganes. He soon established himself as the undisputed number 1 and won multiple trophies in his first two seasons with the club.
In 2021, the club offered the Belgian a contract extension and a hike in pay that would see his deal run until 2026. The following season, he lifted his first Champions League trophy after a Player of the Match performance in a 1-0 win against Liverpool. This season, however, he has been out with a cruciate ligament injury since August 2023.
Overall, he has made 230 appearances for Real Madrid, conceding 219 goals and keeping 91 clean sheets.
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Thibaut Courtois: Season-wise Stats (Tabular)
| Club | Season | Appearances |
| Genk | 2008-09 | 1 |
| 2009-10 | 0 | |
| 2010-11 | 44 | |
| Atletico Madrid (on loan from Chelsea) | 2011-12 | 52 |
| 2012-23 | 46 | |
| 2013-14 | 56 | |
| Chelsea | 2014-15 | 39 |
| 2015-16 | 30 | |
| 2016-17 | 39 | |
| 2017-18 | 46 | |
| Real Madrid | 2018-19 | 35 |
| 2019-20 | 43 | |
| 2020-21 | 51 | |
| 2021-22 | 52 | |
| 2022-23 | 49 | |
| 2023-24 | 0 |
National Team Stats
| Team | Debuted On | Games Played |
| Belgium | November 15, 2011 | 102 |
Thibaut Courtois: Honours & Achievements
Genk
- Belgian Pro League: 2010-11.
Atletico Madrid
- La Liga: 2013-14.
- UEFA Europa League: 2011-12.
- Copa del Rey: 2012-13.
- UEFA Super Cup: 2012.
Chelsea
- Premier League: 2014-15, 2016-17.
- FA Cup: 2017-18.
- League Cup/ EFL Cup: 2014-15.
Real Madrid
- La Liga: 2019-20, 2021-22.
- UEFA Champions League: 2021-22.
- Copa del Rey: 2022-23.
- UEFA Super Cup: 2022.
- Supercopa de Espana: 2019-20, 2021-22.
Individual
- Belgian Professional Goalkeeper of the Year: 2011.
- Belgian Sportsman of the Year: 2014
- La Liga Goalkeeper of the Season: 2012-13.
- Premier League Golden Glove: 2016-17.
- FIFA World Cup Golden Glove: 2018.
- The Best FIFA Goalkeeper 2018.
- Champions League Team of the Season: 2013-14, 2020-21, 2021-22, 2022-23.
- Yashin Trophy: 2022.
FAQ’s
Q – Is Thibaut Courtois the best goalkeeper?
A – Yes, at the moment he is among the top goalkeeper in world football and is in his prime, aged 31.
Q – What team does Thibaut Courtois play for?
A – Real Madrid.
Q – Who will replace Thibaut Courtois?
A – While it is unlikely Courtois will leave Real Madrid, he will be deputised by Andriy Lunin.
Q – Why did Thibaut Courtois leave Chelsea?
A – Courtois’ partner and children lived in Spain due to his prior spell at Atletico Madrid, so the player insisted his desire to be near his family was the primary reason.
Q- What is the net worth of Thibaut Courtois?
A- Thibaut Courtois’s net worth is estimated to be around $110 million.
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