{"id":264611,"first_name":"Thibaut","last_name":"Courtois","short_name":"T. Courtois","common_name":"Thibaut Courtois","place_of_birth":"Bree","gender":"male","height":199,"weight":91,"status":"active","createdAt":"2024-11-07T08:15:39.278Z","updatedAt":"2025-06-10T13:51:46.873Z","locale":"en","age":33,"stb_id":"thibaut-courtois","description":null,"tier":null,"common_name_en":"Thibaut Courtois","top_position":null,"introduction":"Thibaut Nicolas Marc Courtois is a Belgian professional footballer renowned for his exceptional goalkeeping abilities. Playing for La Liga giant Real Madrid, Courtois is celebrated for his reflexes and command of the goal area. His journey from Genk in Belgium to becoming one of the world's best goalkeepers has been marked by significant club and individual achievements, including two UEFA Champions League victories with Real Madrid.","early_life_and_career":"## Early Years\nThibaut Courtois was born on 11 May 1992 in the city of Bree, Flanders, Belgium. He grew up in a bilingual household with a Walloon father and a Flemish mother. Courtois developed a passion for sports at a young age, influenced by his parents who were both volleyball players. Initially playing volleyball, he decided to pursue football seriously at the age of 12.\n\n## Youth Career\nCourtois began his football journey at local club Bilzen V.V. as a left back. However, his potential as a goalkeeper was recognized when he joined Racing Genk's youth academy in 1999. Progressing through Genk's youth ranks, he was converted into a goalkeeper, showcasing considerable promise and technical skill.","professional_career_and_highlights":"## Club Career\n### Genk\nCourtois made his professional debut for Genk at the age of 16 in 2009. Despite initially being a backup, he became the first-choice goalkeeper for the 2010–11 season. His impressive performances contributed significantly to Genk's Belgian Pro League title that year.\n\n### Atlético Madrid\nCourtois joined Chelsea in 2011 but was immediately loaned to Atlético Madrid. In his debut season, he clinched the UEFA Europa League and further success followed with a Copa del Rey and a La Liga title with Atlético. Courtois played a pivotal role in reaching the 2014 UEFA Champions League final.\n\n### Chelsea\nReturning to Chelsea in 2014, Courtois established himself as the team's first-choice goalkeeper, winning two Premier League titles and a League Cup. Despite an injury-plagued 2015–16 season, he claimed the Premier League Golden Glove in 2016–17.\n\n### Real Madrid\nIn 2018, Courtois transferred to Real Madrid, becoming La Liga's most expensive goalkeeper. His time at Madrid has been fruitful, winning multiple La Liga titles and two UEFA Champions League titles. His standout performance in the 2022 Champions League final, wherein he made a record nine saves, was a career highlight.\n\n## National Team Career\n### Senior National Team\nCourtois debuted for the Belgium national team at 19, becoming the youngest goalkeeper to play for the senior side. He was crucial to Belgium's success in reaching the 2018 World Cup semi-finals, earning the Golden Glove. Over his international career, Courtois has amassed more than 100 caps and appeared in numerous major tournaments for Belgium.","playing_style_and_skills":"## Player Characteristics\nCourtois is a quintessential ‘complete goalkeeper’, excelling in various elements of goalkeeping. Notably, his height and reach enable him to dominate aerial duels, while his sharp reflexes and agility make him an excellent shot-stopper. He is also noted for his ability to perform well in one-on-one situations and for distributing the ball with precision from long distances.\n\n## Performance Statistics\nThroughout his career, Courtois has consistently maintained excellent performance metrics, such as earning the Zamora Trophy three times and the Premier League Golden Glove once.\n\n## Records\nCourtois holds the record of being the youngest Belgian international goalkeeper. He also made history with Real Madrid for keeping 17 clean sheets in the 2019–20 La Liga season.","notable_achievements":"## Achievements\n### Team Achievements\n- Belgian Pro League (Genk): 2010–11\n- La Liga (Atlético Madrid): 2013–14\n- Premier League (Chelsea): 2014–15, 2016–17\n- UEFA Champions League (Real Madrid): 2021–22, 2023–24\n\n### Individual Achievements\n- FIFA World Cup Golden Glove: 2018\n- La Liga Zamora Trophy: 2012–13, 2013–14, 2019–20\n\n## Awards and Recognition\nCourtois has been named IFFHS World's Best Goalkeeper and was included in the FIFA FIFPRO World 11, underlining his consistent recognition as one of football's elite in his position.","impact_on_sport":"## Career Overview\nCourtois' career is marked by success at every club level he has competed in. His contributions are crucial in high-stakes matches, earning him a reputation as a reliable performer in critical moments such as Champions League finals.\n\n## Off the Field\nOutside football, Courtois is known for his interest in Formula 1, having even formed a racing team. He maintains a positive public image, actively engaging with fans and participating in various social initiatives.\n\n## Personal Life\nCourtois' personal life includes a strong family background in sports, with a sister who is also an established athlete. He has been involved romantically with Mishel Gerzig since 2021, and the couple tied the knot in 2023. His multilingual capability, speaking Dutch, French, Spanish, and English, adds to his versatility beyond football.","stb_internal_id":"019305b1-7fff-7edd-941d-95b659622946","overrides":null,"type_code":"goalkeeper","position_type_code":"goalkeeper","detailed_position_type_code":"goalkeeper","roles":"player","has_biography":true,"has_membership_relations":true,"has_matches":null,"has_article_relations":false,"has_social_media_relations":false,"introduction_html":"

Thibaut Nicolas Marc Courtois is a Belgian professional footballer renowned for his exceptional goalkeeping abilities. Playing for La Liga giant Real Madrid, Courtois is celebrated for his reflexes and command of the goal area. His journey from Genk in Belgium to becoming one of the world's best goalkeepers has been marked by significant club and individual achievements, including two UEFA Champions League victories with Real Madrid.

\n","early_life_and_career_html":"

Early Years

Thibaut Courtois was born on 11 May 1992 in the city of Bree, Flanders, Belgium. He grew up in a bilingual household with a Walloon father and a Flemish mother. Courtois developed a passion for sports at a young age, influenced by his parents who were both volleyball players. Initially playing volleyball, he decided to pursue football seriously at the age of 12.

Youth Career

Courtois began his football journey at local club Bilzen V.V. as a left back. However, his potential as a goalkeeper was recognized when he joined Racing Genk's youth academy in 1999. Progressing through Genk's youth ranks, he was converted into a goalkeeper, showcasing considerable promise and technical skill.

\n","professional_career_and_highlights_html":"

Club Career

Genk

Courtois made his professional debut for Genk at the age of 16 in 2009. Despite initially being a backup, he became the first-choice goalkeeper for the 2010–11 season. His impressive performances contributed significantly to Genk's Belgian Pro League title that year.

Atlético Madrid

Courtois joined Chelsea in 2011 but was immediately loaned to Atlético Madrid. In his debut season, he clinched the UEFA Europa League and further success followed with a Copa del Rey and a La Liga title with Atlético. Courtois played a pivotal role in reaching the 2014 UEFA Champions League final.

Chelsea

Returning to Chelsea in 2014, Courtois established himself as the team's first-choice goalkeeper, winning two Premier League titles and a League Cup. Despite an injury-plagued 2015–16 season, he claimed the Premier League Golden Glove in 2016–17.

Real Madrid

In 2018, Courtois transferred to Real Madrid, becoming La Liga's most expensive goalkeeper. His time at Madrid has been fruitful, winning multiple La Liga titles and two UEFA Champions League titles. His standout performance in the 2022 Champions League final, wherein he made a record nine saves, was a career highlight.

National Team Career

Senior National Team

Courtois debuted for the Belgium national team at 19, becoming the youngest goalkeeper to play for the senior side. He was crucial to Belgium's success in reaching the 2018 World Cup semi-finals, earning the Golden Glove. Over his international career, Courtois has amassed more than 100 caps and appeared in numerous major tournaments for Belgium.

\n","playing_style_and_skills_html":"

Player Characteristics

Courtois is a quintessential ‘complete goalkeeper’, excelling in various elements of goalkeeping. Notably, his height and reach enable him to dominate aerial duels, while his sharp reflexes and agility make him an excellent shot-stopper. He is also noted for his ability to perform well in one-on-one situations and for distributing the ball with precision from long distances.

Performance Statistics

Throughout his career, Courtois has consistently maintained excellent performance metrics, such as earning the Zamora Trophy three times and the Premier League Golden Glove once.

Records

Courtois holds the record of being the youngest Belgian international goalkeeper. He also made history with Real Madrid for keeping 17 clean sheets in the 2019–20 La Liga season.

\n","notable_achievements_html":"

Achievements

Team Achievements

Belgian Pro League (Genk): 2010–11
La Liga (Atlético Madrid): 2013–14
Premier League (Chelsea): 2014–15, 2016–17
UEFA Champions League (Real Madrid): 2021–22, 2023–24

Individual Achievements

FIFA World Cup Golden Glove: 2018
La Liga Zamora Trophy: 2012–13, 2013–14, 2019–20

Awards and Recognition

Courtois has been named IFFHS World's Best Goalkeeper and was included in the FIFA FIFPRO World 11, underlining his consistent recognition as one of football's elite in his position.

\n","impact_on_sport_html":"

Career Overview

Courtois' career is marked by success at every club level he has competed in. His contributions are crucial in high-stakes matches, earning him a reputation as a reliable performer in critical moments such as Champions League finals.

Off the Field

Outside football, Courtois is known for his interest in Formula 1, having even formed a racing team. He maintains a positive public image, actively engaging with fans and participating in various social initiatives.

Personal Life

Courtois' personal life includes a strong family background in sports, with a sister who is also an established athlete. He has been involved romantically with Mishel Gerzig since 2021, and the couple tied the knot in 2023. His multilingual capability, speaking Dutch, French, Spanish, and English, adds to his versatility beyond football.

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Thibaut Courtois: Profile