Thibaut Courtois Reflects on Mourinho's Return: "We Had Our Occasional Frictions"

Real Madrid has confirmed the return of Jose Mourinho as manager, marking a significant comeback for the Portuguese coach after 13 years since his initial tenure. While the current squad is devoid of players from that era, goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois stands out as someone who has previously played under Mourinho at Chelsea.

In response to the announcement, Courtois shared his thoughts about reuniting with Mourinho. He recalled some challenging moments during their time together, stating, “We also had our occasional frictions. For example, he sat me on the bench against Everton because I had crossed two balls from the wing in the previous game against Aston Villa. It was his way of provoking me. The following week, I returned to the goal against West Ham and made five or six crucial saves. Mourinho is a very direct coach; I’m the same. Our relationship has always been very good.”

Currently, Courtois is with the Belgian national team for the 2026 World Cup, which officially began on Thursday. During a press briefing in North America, he addressed his recovery from injuries that have plagued his recent seasons. “When I tore my cruciate ligament, I started to think about the future, because I felt that those moments of rest gave me strength,” he explained, emphasizing the benefits of time off and allowing his body to heal.

When questioned about his future at Real Madrid, where his contract expires next summer, Courtois expressed optimism. “At Real Madrid, the principle is that, from the age of thirty, the contract is renewed year after year. So I’m pretty calm about it. If I continue to perform as I have done so far, a renewal will not be a problem,” he said. However, he acknowledged the club's need to consider a successor, adding, “For me, the ideal would be to be able to finish my career in Madrid.”