Thibaut Courtois - A Star in It's Full Glow
The Belgian shot stopper Thibaut Courtois is talked about player right now and he's one of the best goalkeepers in the world at the moment as well as a key player for both spanish giants Real Madrid and the Belgian National Team.
Thibaut Courtois made his first team football debut for Genk at the age of 16 and slowly became a player a player from whom people can expect stuff. His height was a preferable advantage as it was a key attribute given his playing position. Courtois's impressive performances under the bar made him the first choice goalkeeper for the club of his debut at quite an young age. Thibo’s qualities were getting recognition slowly as Chelsea started keeping tabs on him and eventually signed him in 2011. Then Chelsea when they saw they couldn't provide Thibo with the adequate amount of game time they sent him on loan to Atletico Madrid who back then just sold their starter David De Gea to Manchester United. There Courtois spent three seasons in a row. During his time at Atletico Madrid, Thibaut Courtois became a world class goal keeper that he is even today with consistent amount of good performances at the big stages racking up outstanding saves. After winning Europa League with Atletico Madrid, along with the UEFA Super Cup and the Copa Del Rey over the first two seasons, Tibo made a high contribution to Atletico Madrid’s 2013/14 La Liga title winning campaign in his last season. The Atletico run could have been even better as Atletico Madrid reached the Champions League final but ultimately fel prey to the city rivals Real Madrid who actually turned the tie around at the dying minutes of the final. Still a Champions League runners up finish meant Thibaut Courtois had a very successful loan spell collectively. But Thibo also earned name for himself with his individual brilliance. Thibo won the Zamora Trophy (La Liga best goal keeper award) in both 2011-12 and 2012-13 seasons.
Courtois's impressive loan spell at Atletico had to be considered by Jose Mourinho and yes Jose did treat Thibo with the opportunity to be Chelsea's first choice goalkeeper. He had big gloves to fill in as the heir to Petr Čech. Chelsea legend Petr Čech became the backup to Thibaut Courtois mostly for his age and nonetheless by the seemingly growing aura or Courtois. He repaid Jose’s trust by contributing to Chelsea’s 2014/15 Premier League winning campaign. Thibaut Courtois had a very rough 2015-16 season. Chelsea overall had a disappointing season with a 10th placed finish, while Jose was sacked mid season and interim manager Guus Hiddink came along to rescue Chelsea from further damage. With Chelsea's underwhelming performances and dressing room issues, Courtois also individually struggled as he was only injured at a point. He also got sent off twice. In the following season, however, after Antonio Conte took charge of the London club, Chelsea won the Premier League with an outstanding performance throughout the whole campaign and Thibaut Courtois won the Premier League golden glove. Courtois’s last season at Chelsea FC wasn’t very good, though. Despite FA Cup victory, it was not a satisfying one for Chelsea and especially for Thibo. It was a season full of rumours circulating that Thibo will leave Chelsea, having Chelsea fans despise him, mostly because of all the mess he caused during his departure.
Thibaut Courtois’s 2018 summer was a great one though. Unlike the previous league season. Belgium’s 3rd placed finish at FIFA World Cup in Russia and Thibaut Courtois’ Golden Glove win meant it was an overall successful season for Thibo. For his performances throughout the 2017/18 season as well as the World Cup campaign, Thibaut Courtois won the award for FIFA The Best Goalkeeper in 2018.
After a great World Cup campaign, Thibo finally forced a move out of Chelsea to Real Madrid. He left Chelsea in the most distasteful way possible with all the controversial circumstances. Also talking rude about his previous club which is also the club that brought him where he is today. The hate of the Chelsea fans is real. So while starting most of Real Madrid’s matches over the veteran Keylor Navas throughout the next season, Thibo had a disastrous start to life in Madrid. Thibaut’s bad form continued in the beginning of the next season too. But Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane did not lose hope in the tall Belgian. And slowly Courtois turned his Real Madrid career around in his second season. Real Madrid enjoyed a great season defensively with the least goals conceded by a club in the top 5 leagues.
Thibaut played an important role in Real Madrid’s La Liga triumph that season. Courtois’s unbelievable performance guarding the goal of Real earned him his 3rd La Liga Zamora Trophy. It was the beginning of something beautiful for Thibaut Courtois as he turned his doubters and haters among the Madrid fanbase into his biggest fans. A player with champion mentality, he always vows to fight for the club’s pride, a fitting character for Real Madrid. Courtois with his consistency, reflexes and solidity in between the sticks is one of the key to Real Madrid's successes. A significant part in the "Los Blancos" squad as well as his own national side. Thibaut Courtois with age and performances in his side has a lot more to offer and keep being a world class player that he is. And we might just see the next great goalkeeper in him.