How Tall Is Courtois: (1.99 m is my height (6 ft 6 in)) Courtois was born Thibaut Nicolas Marc Courtois (May 11, 1992). He is a Belgian professional footballer who now plays as a goalkeeper for Real Madrid and the Belgian national team. Many experts believe him to be the finest goalie in the world. As a teenager, Courtois was instrumental in Genk’s Belgian Pro League triumph, having risen through the club’s development system.
After a rumored £8 million transfer to Chelsea in July 2011, he was promptly loaned out to Atlético Madrid. He won the Europa League in 2012, the Copa del Rey in 2013, and La Liga in 2014 in just three seasons there. Additionally, he earned the Ricardo Zamora Trophy for the best goalkeeper in La Liga for his efforts in his last two years in the league, as well. Chelsea won the League Cup and the Premier League in Courtois’ first season back at Stamford Bridge. He earned the Premier Title Golden Glove two years later, as Chelsea won the league for the second time in three seasons.
La Liga’s most expensive goalkeeper, Jan Oblak, was broken in 2018 when Real Madrid purchased Thibaut Courtois for £35 million. Second La Liga crown and third Zamorano trophy in 2020 for him. In October 2011, Courtois made his senior international debut for Belgium, becoming him the country’s youngest goalie ever. With over ninety caps under his belt, he’s played in four FIFA World Cups and two UEFA Euros, winning the Golden Glove in 2018 as the best goalkeeper of the tournament and helping Belgium to third place overall in the standings.
The Professional Career of a Club
The beginning of one’s career: To a Walloon father and a Flemish mother, Courtois was born in the city of Bree in Flanders. He began his professional career as a left-back with Bilzen V.V. In 1999, at the age of seven, he was recruited by Racing Genk and trained as a goalkeeper. Koen Casteels was previously considered the primary goalkeeper for Genk’s junior system, but Courtois was called up to the first squad during an injury crisis and made his debut on April 17, 2009, against Gent. Courtois was appointed first-choice goalkeeper for the 2010–11 season ahead of Casteels because Laszlo Koteles’ registration was unable to be finalized due to a legal issue. In the Belgian Pro League’s 2010–11 season, he was a major member of Genk’s championship squad. He was named Goalkeeper of the Year and Genk’s Player of the Year after maintaining 14 clean sheets in 40 league games and only conceding 32 goals.
Chelsea: Chelsea signed Thibaut Courtois to a five-year contract in July 2011 for a reported €9 million.
The season of 2011–12: Goalkeeper Courtois started for Atletico Madrid against Vitória de Guimares on August 25 and maintained a clean sheet on his La Liga debut against Osasuna at the Vicente Calderón Stadium three days later. When Courtois kept four clean sheets in his first six La Liga games, Sergio Asenjo was no longer the first-choice goalkeeper. Courtois was sent off for the first time in his professional career on November 26, 2011, when he fouled Karim Benzema in the Madrid derby and was awarded a penalty. Atlético’s replacement goalie Asenjo was beaten 1–4 by substitute Cristiano Ronaldo in the penalty shootout. Atlético Madrid beat Athletic Bilbao 3–0 in the 2012 UEFA Europa League Final, thanks in part to goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
A Career that takes you all Across the World
The Beginning of one’s Career: Since his debut against France in a friendly at the Stade de France, Courtois has become the youngest goalie to play for the Belgian national team.
This year’s FIFA World Cup
Belgium qualified for its first major event since the 2002 FIFA World Cup thanks to a tireless performance by Courtois. A total of six clean sheets were recorded during these qualifying. On May 13, 2014, Courtois was included in the World Cup team. He appeared in all five of Belgium’s games in the tournament, beginning with a 2–1 victory over Algeria in Belo Horizonte. The Red Devils advanced to the quarterfinals when Courtois kept successive clean sheets in 1–0 victories against Russia and South Korea.
The 2016 European Championship
As a key cog in Belgium’s eight-game UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying run, Thibaut Courtois played every minute and contributed to the team’s first qualification in 16 years. Due to injuries, he was unable to play in the team’s last two matches. In the quarter-finals, Courtois and his team fell after gaining an early lead against Wales. Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois blamed coach Marc Wilmots and described the loss as his “worst disappointment” in his career after the game.
The playing style
While watching Belgium’s 2–1 quarterfinal victory against Brazil, Thibaut Courtois makes a crucial save. After a bright start as a youngster, Courtois established himself as one of the world’s top defenders. “A complete goalkeeper” with minimal flaws, he’s been labeled because of his vast range of abilities. Consistent keeper, he has an excellent positional sense, good mentality, composure, strength of character, and an excellent ability to communicate well with his defenders; He also excels in one-on-one situations, due to his ability to time the runs effectively when rushing out of goal and facing opponents, and has even functioned as a sweeper-keeper on occasion. His agility and fast reactions have made him one of the best goalkeepers in the league, despite his stature and intimidating build.
Personal Issues
In addition to Dutch and French, Courtois is also fluent in Spanish and English. A volleyball libero, Valérie Courtois, is Thibaut’s older sister who now plays for Stade Français Paris Saint Cloud as well as for Belgium. He grew up playing volleyball with his parents, and he continued to do so until the age of 12 when he switched to football full-time. He and fiancée Marta Dominguez had their first child together on May 26, 2015.
While Dominguez was pregnant with their first child, Nicolás, the couple broke up in April 2017. He is in a relationship with Israeli model Mishel Gerzig since July 2021, and in August 2021 they adopted a dog together. He tested positive for COVID-19 on December 29, 2021.
Messi vs. Courtois: a battle of Geniuses
When it comes to the greatest goalkeeper in the world, Thibaut Courtois and Argentina’s pint-sized prodigy Leo Messi will go head-to-head in Brazil on Saturday. Between Thibaut Courtois in goal and Lionel Messi leading Argentina’s attack in the quarterfinal matchup will be two of the finest players in the world at their respective positions. This dichotomy isn’t limited to the field of play, though. The Belgian is 1.98m tall, compared to the Argentine’s 1.69m, a difference of about 30 centimeters.
After a ferocious fight in Spain, the two adversaries are prepared to resume their war of words in the United States. Atlético de Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has already faced Barcelona’s Lionel Messi six times this season, as the club’s standard-bearer. Courtois won two matches in the Spanish Super Cup, two more in ‘La Liga,’ and two more in the Champions League. On each of those occasions, ‘La Pulga’ failed to score a goal.
