2023-07-18 04:11:00
The king’s return. This Monday, Thibaut Courtois returned to his haven of peace: Madrid. His month of June will have been eventful. An understatement. His marriage to Mishel Gerzig and his holidays in Bora Bora in the process gave him a little moment of calm following the “armorgate” which marred his end of the season.
This matter will linger in Belgian minds until Courtois makes an official statement regarding it or Domenico Tedesco announces his list. With or without Courtois. Every gesture or statement by the Devils goaltender will be scrutinized. Like when he removed the Red Devils from his Instagram bio or his sister was photographed with an armband on her arm at the goalkeeper’s wedding. A whole nation is waiting to know if the future of the Devils will unfold with Courtois between the poles.
At Real Madrid, there is no doubt. Courtois will be the undisputed number 1 next season. So much so that the Merengue decided not to go hunting for a number 2 capable of competing with him. Andriy Lunin will remain his understudy for the coming season. “And he is far from the level of Courtois, slips Antón Meana, journalist for Cadena SER. The management thus wants to consolidate Courtois in his status as star and boss of the group. It is not endangered internally.”
Real Madrid have also made it clear that no offer would be accepted for their goalkeeper despite the rumor sending him to PSG.
What next following the Courtois affair? Here is the federation’s plan to pick up the pieces… or not!
To be a legend, you need titles
This status of king of Madrid, Courtois cherishes it. The fault of a long-standing complex linked to his image in Belgium. The goalkeeper’s assumption is that he is loved more by Spaniards than by his own compatriots. “What did he win with Belgium? Nothing. And with Real? A Champions League and two La Liga, among others.”
Antón Meana reads notoriety through the charts. A prism that he justifies by giving the example of Iker Casillas. “To be a legend with your country, you have to win titles. Casillas was a legend at his club before winning the Euros and the World Cup. After the victories with La Roja, it took on a national dimension.”
The fact of leaving the selection prematurely following the draw once morest Austria is explained by this feeling that he has been dragging for years already. The past few months have been the last straw. It started with the change of staff and the dismissal of Erwin Lemmens. More than a goalkeeper coach, he had become Courtois’ trusted man. Then there was the designation of Kevin De Bruyne as captain and then that of Lukaku for the match once morest Austria. “We wondered why Courtois didn’t have the armband,” Meana said. He is the best Belgian player in our eyes, a boss at Real and he is not a captain. It’s strange in my opinion. In Spain he is seen as the perfect player to wear the armband.
They listened to Courtois’ version
Courtois’ decision was not received like a bombshell in Spain. It has Real Madrid followers and fans concerned, eager to know the truth regarding the goalkeeper’s decision not to play the final game of the rally. “We were surprised because we have the image of a Thibaut Courtois always a gentleman, always straight in his boots, says Meana. With us, he is always polite and available. And he is always the last to leave the field because he took the time to greet the supporters. We did not understand what had happened.”
Thibaut Courtois reacts to the controversy: “It’s the first time that what is said in the locker room has been made public”
An agent close to the club also claims that his reputation remains intact within the management. Madrid fans were also less vocal than the Belgians. When the player and his entourage held up the injury card to excuse his departure, almost everyone in Spain rallied to this version of the facts. “Real confirmed the player’s version to us and assured us that he was injured and was telling the truth. For the rest, the club did not communicate on this subject. Maybe he will do it later during the preparation.”
Real would not be once morest an international retirement
Courtois will only be passing through the Madrid training center. From Wednesday, he will fly to the United States to start his preparation. Madrid will face AC Milan, Juventus, Barca and Manchester United before kicking off their season for good. With a pivotal moment that will happen very quickly: the trip of the Devils to Azerbaijan and the reception of Estonia in early September.
Does Thibaut Courtois definitely want to turn his back on the Red Devils? A clue suggests that…
Real Madrid would be the big winners with the goalkeeper’s absence from Tedesco’s list. Courtois will be able to focus his energy on his club. “On one condition, nuance the journalist. This decision must be his. He is very close to Karim Benzema and he knows he was touched not to be included in the France team. If, on the other hand, Courtois is the master of his choice and is at peace with his decision, Real Madrid can only rejoice.”
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