Michelle Gratzig The wife of Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois does not come to Israel much, certainly not since she is a mother. Thanks to being a presenter for Israeli companies as well, she occasionally comes to visit her homeland and we caught up with her to talk regarding the photo shoot: “We are shooting the new Z-SPORT campaign,” Michelle tells us as she puts on the brand’s clothes and feels most at home in the world.
Opens everything: Michelle Gerzig in an interview with Glitchim!
It’s not the first time you’ve modeled since you gave birth, but do you still feel that something has changed between you and yourself on set since you became a mother?
“This is my first time modeling in Israel as a mother, so at home it always feels the best and the most fun. Something different? Wow, I don’t know how to tell you, I think it’s very difficult to say regarding myself, I just know that as a person I became a little more anxious and stressed I’m so tired, I have to tell you that I didn’t sleep that much the night before, but it’s fun and of course I’m not complaining.”
Michel Gratzig (Reuven Schwartz)
You came to Israel with your little daughter Eli, how did the family around her react?
“Wow, I think everyone is just in love, what can I say?”
Tibo’s children are her half-siblings too? how are they with her
“They are the most amazing, they also love her very much and love to be with her and talk and play with her, they are charming and helpful.”
Michel Gratzig (Reuven Schwartz)
Although you have seen Tibo as a father, but less so at this age, is he a involved father or is there a nanny for everything here too?
“Of course he’s very involved, his knowledge from the past is something that restrains me a bit because, as I said, I’m anxious and stressed and he kind of brings me down to the ground and calms me down. He’s a really amazing father and gives me so much confidence and he’s such a supportive partner.”
Courtois, Gerzig and the family (Instagram)
By the way of the nannies, there was criticism regarding the fact that you said that there are many professionals at home for almost everything.
“I think that I am a very genuine and very transparent person and if I choose to share something, then I share to the end. Tibo is an athlete of the highest rank and he must take care of himself and his health, and it was like that even before. Even before I arrived, this was his life, And his schedule is so busy that there is nothing to do, he needs help. And of course he has to be very careful regarding his meals and his food, because this is his job and his career and his life, and if he can then why not?”
Michel Gratzig (Reuven Schwartz)
You are really exposed to a great deal of criticism because your relationship is in the publicity on a global scale and everyone has opinions, as above regarding the fact that you are actually a Jew who married a foreign actor, who is not Jewish.
“I think we are not people who let criticism affect us, in the end this is our life and life is so short anyway, so why bother with criticism and bother living life the way another person wants or thinks I should? It doesn’t work that way, and I recommend Don’t do it like that for everyone? Why bother with what others think? Why this fatigue and being sad because something doesn’t work like that, and our love is real and that’s what That’s important. I won’t give up something so real and pure just because someone doesn’t see it.”
Michel Gratzig (Reuven Schwartz)
Along with the criticism, there was also a great deal of support following what you did in the war and the donations to the residents of the Otaf, was there any discussion regarding this in Tibo’s environment?
“Yes, there was a discussion, also of course in general regarding everything that happened, regarding all this shocking thing of October 7th and what came following it as well. They also talk, ask and are interested and the close circle is really very supportive like that. Also in terms of players and other people that Tibo encountered on the day Day, he also gets to talk to them and I, of course, in my job. When you see a person who is really willing to listen, even if he doesn’t agree but is willing to listen and have a respectful conversation, then we open it up at full volume.”
Have you also encountered a more accusatory tone?
“Obviously there were shocking reactions from people we know, too. Really things that make you say, ‘How do you even say that?!’ I won’t bore you with the details, but these are things that we were really shocked and very sad to see that it even reached such a stage. Because in the end we are all human, but we simply ignore all the bad reactions and shocking wishes and continue with complete faith on our way.”
Michel Gratzig (Reuven Schwartz)
There are now more concerns regarding coming to Israel with Tibo, maybe even on his part?
“Tivo is very supportive and very proud of his wife and the fact that I am Israeli and that I served in the army, he knows this from the beginning and has always been proud and supported and loves the country. Of course he also loves my family and friends who have long since become his family and friends, so it is obvious that he will support and hug and give what that he can”.
Last time you said that Tibo knows a little regarding the league in Israel and knows that Haifa won the championship, so now he knows that Maccabi Tel Aviv won the championship and knows some players maybe?
“Of course he knows, but ask him that, don’t give me a test now (laughs)…but yes, he knows names like Eran Zahavi, we’ll say…”
Michel Gratzig (Reuven Schwartz)
There are many who suggest that you might make him a citizen and he will be the goalkeeper of our national team…
“I’ll tell you something from what I understood regarding the rules, correct me if I’m wrong, once you’ve played for a country’s team once, you can no longer play for any other team…”
So maybe some retirement season here in Israel?
“Maybe…”
Thibaut Courtois in a frenzy (Radad Jabara)
Where do you think was the best fit for him out of all the teams?
“Wow, I have no idea, I don’t know in terms of the groups, but you know, I also work in Tel Aviv, so maybe Tel Aviv, it seems to work best! But not related to the group itself…”
Thibaut Courtois with the trophy on his head (Radad Jabara)
He knows a few words in Hebrew, so how regarding you in Spanish and maybe even in Flemish (the language in Belgium)?
“Wow, well, I speak Spanish quite well, of course with many mistakes, but people understand me and that’s what’s important, and in Flemish I do know regarding three words…’Verint’ is a friend, like ‘friend’ in English. I understand Flemish better when you speak because it A combination of German and English, so I somehow manage to catch words here and there, but it’s very difficult to speak this language. And in Spanish, yes – that’s what it sounds like, and by and large podemos hablar en español (we can speak in Spanish).”
