Thibaut Nicolas Marc Courtois is a Belgian professional footballer widely regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in the world.
Born on 11 May 1992 in Bree, Belgium, he stands at 6’7″ (200 cm) and plays as the primary goalkeeper for La Liga club Real Madrid and the Belgium national team.
Coming from a sporting family with volleyball roots, Courtois initially played volleyball as a child before switching his focus to football at around age 12.
Known for his commanding presence, exceptional reflexes, shot-stopping ability, and aerial dominance, he has enjoyed a highly successful career across multiple top European leagues.
Siblings
Courtois hails from an athletic family.
His parents, Thierry Courtois and Gitte Lambrechts (also referred to as Gitte Courtois), were both semi-professional volleyball players.
He has an older sister, Valérie Courtois, who is a professional volleyball player serving as a libero for clubs like Stade Français Paris Saint Cloud and the Belgium national team.
Career
Courtois began his professional career at Belgian club KRC Genk, making his senior debut and helping the team win the Belgian Pro League title in 2010–11.
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His performances earned him a move to Chelsea in 2011, though he was immediately loaned to Atlético Madrid.
During two successful seasons on loan, he won the La Liga title in 2013–14, the UEFA Europa League, and multiple individual awards for his goalkeeping prowess.
He returned to Chelsea and contributed to two Premier League titles in 2014–15 and 2016–17, along with an FA Cup.
In 2018, Courtois transferred to Real Madrid, where he has become a cornerstone of the team.
Despite a serious ACL injury in 2023 that sidelined him for several months, he made a strong recovery.
As of the 2025–26 season, he continues to be a key player for Real Madrid in La Liga and European competitions, known for his consistency and leadership at the back.
He has also been a mainstay for Belgium since his international debut, notably helping the team reach third place at the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
Accolades
At club level, Courtois has won multiple La Liga titles (with both Atlético Madrid and Real Madrid), two UEFA Champions League titles with Real Madrid (2022 and 2024), a UEFA Europa League, Premier League titles, and various domestic cups and super cups.
Individually, he has claimed the La Liga Zamora Trophy (best goalkeeper) on three occasions, the Premier League Golden Glove, the Yashin Trophy, and The Best FIFA Goalkeeper award.
He was also named the best goalkeeper at the 2018 World Cup.
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