Headline: Courtois Reflects on Mourinho’s Return and Bellingham’s Impact at Real Madrid
Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has shared insights about his relationship with manager Jose Mourinho and his thoughts on teammate Jude Bellingham in a recent interview with Sky Sports, as reported by Mundo Deportivo. The goalkeeper, who previously collaborated with Mourinho during their time at Chelsea, expressed his enthusiasm about reuniting with him at the Santiago Bernabeu following Mourinho’s appointment as head coach this summer.
Courtois expressed his satisfaction in working with Mourinho again, recalling their amicable parting at Chelsea. “It’s great, really great, I’m very happy. When he left Chelsea, we parted on good terms. It’s always good to work with him again; he’s an excellent coach,” Courtois stated. The veteran added a humorous note, explaining that he had unintentionally ignored a message from Mourinho for two weeks after the manager arrived in Madrid. He was occupied with a World Cup schedule at the time and eventually confirmed the coach’s contact through Real Madrid.
Reflecting on Mourinho’s evolution, Courtois noted that the coach appears calmer compared to their earlier encounters. “I’ll use his own words. I think he’s said himself that he could have matured a bit more. With all that experience, I think he’s also a bit calmer at times,” Courtois remarked. He further contrasted Mourinho’s current demeanor with his assertive nature during their time at Chelsea, emphasizing that while the coach’s presence remains impactful, he seems slightly less intense.
In addition, Courtois touched upon the brief tenure of former manager Xabi Alonso, who succeeded Carlo Ancelotti last year but was dismissed midway through the campaign. He commented, “I think that in the world of football, it’s always like that: when the results aren’t good, the manager is the first to pay the price.” The Belgian goalkeeper acknowledged existing tensions between Alonso and some players, which may have contributed to the situation, yet he expressed admiration for Alonso’s working style, predicting future success for him at Chelsea.
Courtois also praised Jude Bellingham, highlighting his significant role within the team. “I have a very high opinion of Jude. First, he’s a great guy, a good friend of mine. Second, he’s an excellent player,” he shared. Assessing Bellingham’s first season at Real Madrid, Courtois noted that the midfielder is crucial to their performances on the field, regardless of whether he’s defending, attacking, or controlling the game.
On a personal note, Courtois discussed his decision to take a step back from the Belgium national team after the 2026 FIFA World Cup, emphasizing that he is not retiring from international duty just yet. He revealed that his initial plan was to end his international career after the World Cup. However, after enjoying the tournament, he found renewed enthusiasm for playing for Belgium. “My initial idea was to retire from the national team and end my international career after the World Cup. Since I’m 34, I thought this World Cup would be a good way to finish. But I must say that I really enjoyed this World Cup and had a lot of fun playing,” he explained.
Courtois highlighted his reasoning for stepping away from the Nations League matches, citing a need for rest and recovery from lingering injuries. Yet, he confirmed his willingness to return to the national squad for the UEFA Euro 2028 qualifiers, stating, “If he wants me back, I’ll return.” He acknowledged the competitive nature of the goalkeeper position in Belgium, emphasizing the importance of proving oneself to earn a spot on the team.
