And dear fans: Believe me, I am not done with this club yet. The hunger for another trophy is not yet satisfied. On to number 20!!! Hala Madrid!
","2_column_layout__en":"Fortunately, that ambition can now be ticked off too after the win against Osasuna.
Sevilla was really a beautiful setting for this final: one match, 90 minutes, supreme atmosphere, the stadium nicely divided in red and white. How good it felt to see that white sea of supporters and sense the support on the field. Thanks to you, difficult moments in a match become easier to bear and every player goes to the limit until the final whistle. After all, you don't win a final alone, you do it as a team together with the fans.
With all my clubs Genk, Atletico, Chelsea and Real I had already won the championship. And with those previous clubs also the national cup. Well, that gap has now been filled. It feels very special to see this Copa on my list of honors and I am so grateful that I have now won all the cups with my dream club.
Did you even know that Real Madrid has won every possible trophy (that means 6 of them) in the last 475 days?! This never happened before, what an achievement! I am grateful to be part of the group who made history for the most successful club in the world.
For me personally, the tally rises to 19 cups or championships. Unbelievable. What a ride! We have to play so many games in a season that sometimes I forget to enjoy a prize but this cup I will surely cherish.
","youtubevideo":"","thumbnail_alignment":"center top","type":"story"},{"id":10,"creator":7,"created":"2022-03-15 17:43:02","updated":"2024-12-18 23:10:02","status":1,"offset_right":9,"offset_left":8,"title":"Last Team Trophy","stats":"FIFA Intercontinental Cup 2024 Qatar","type":"statistic"},{"id":35,"status__en":1,"creator":7,"created":"2022-11-29 11:09:06","updated":"2024-11-24 20:55:35","url__en":"reaching-the-milestone-of-100-caps","title":"Reaching the milestone of 100 caps","photo":"20221129.111703.6385dc1f9bc9b.png","content":"That first international match will of course always stay in your memory. That first time being told you are starting a match for your country, that first time putting on the number 1 shirt, that first time singing along to the Brabanconne with the cameras focused on you. It all seems like the most normal thing in the world now, but I was only 19 and the youngest goalkeeper ever with the Red Devils. That first cap, a friendly match at the Stade de France against France, ended 0-0, a first-time clean sheet as well.
The most interesting match in the early days was against the Netherlands in 2012. With a couple of good interventions, I was able to help the team to a 4-2 victory. When we came into the locker room after the match, we all realized that it could be the start of something very beautiful. Winning against the Netherlands gave enormous satisfaction for a boy from Bilzen who lives near the Dutch border.
The hunger to compete with the big football countries was an incentive to make it to the 2014 World Cup. The celebration after winning in Croatia when we were allowed to book the tickets to Brazil still makes me smile.
Step by step we climbed to number one in the FIFA rankings. Of course, I am very happy that I was able to contribute to this. The highlight of these 100 international matches is definitely the World Cup in Russia. The match against Brazil (2-1 win) will remain in my memory forever, earning me the prize of best goalkeeper of the World Cup.
Meanwhile, we are three World Cups and two European Championships further and I have seen all corners of Europe and even the world with the national team. Not only has it been a real adventure in terms of football, the encounter with other cultures has also shaped me as a human being. Very soon I will play my 100th international game and try to keep a clean sheet for the 50th time. 1 out of 2 at this level is a number I am quite proud of.
However, I could not have achieved all these experiences and successes without the unconditional love and commitment of my family, the cooperation with all the other Red Devils and staff and the never-ending support of the fans. Without all these people, I could never have completed this course.
","youtubevideo":"","thumbnail_alignment":"center top","type":"story"},{"id":34,"status__en":1,"creator":7,"created":"2022-07-11 16:22:57","updated":"2024-11-24 20:55:35","url__en":"back-to-practice","title":"Back to practice and hungry for more","photo":"20220711.162252.62cc323ccfcfe.JPG","content":"Playing with the kids, catching up with the family, having fun with friends\u2026 it was satisfying because during the season you are always so focused that life always revolves around the next match. Now, I had the time to really relax and clear my head. Getting engaged to my girlfriend Mishel is definitely one of the highlights. I have no problem sharing that with the fans, Mishel is a part of my life as a footballer and family man.
Sometimes, I still don't fully realize what I and my teammates have accomplished in the past season. Fortunately, the fans are there to remind me. During the holidays, they congratulated me for the titles we won. Winning La Liga is quite a feat in itself but the congratulations for the Champions League exceeded everything. You are so focused on your own game that you sometimes forget the impact of the win on the fans. I felt a huge gratitude, even from opponents, for the performance in the final against Liverpool. That helps it sink in and definitely puts a smile on my face.
Did you spend the whole holiday just lying by the pool, people ask me? I\u2019ll confess, the first three weeks I indeed turned off the football button and let my body recover from the grueling season. But then I picked up the thread again. To get rid of that lingering pubalgia, I trained with a personal coach during my leave. First fitness, then field training. Now, I got rid of the injury and my body feels ready to start preseason.
Because yes, I am looking forward to a new season. To always bring out the best in yourself and the team, that\u2019s what Real Madrid does with you. I am proud that I am now part of that illustrious European history. Winning the Champions League with the biggest club in the world, it\u2019s now on my honor roll. In this case, dreams can come true.
But the hunger is far from satisfied. First the preparation in Madrid, then on tour in the United States with friendly games against Barcelona and Juventus, among others, and then building up to the match for the European Super Cup against Frankfurt, it's all coming up soon. And with the World Cup in Qatar, the season will be more intense than ever.
","youtubevideo":"","thumbnail_alignment":"center top","type":"story"},{"id":2,"creator":1,"created":"2020-04-09 17:31:15","updated":"2026-02-19 12:20:12","status":1,"offset_right":17,"offset_left":16,"title":"Real Madrid S25-26","stats":"14 Clean Sheets","type":"statistic"},{"id":33,"status__en":1,"creator":6,"created":"2022-06-14 18:36:19","updated":"2024-11-24 20:55:35","url__en":"thibaut-talks-5-about-birthdays-trophies","title":"Thibaut Talks #5 about birthdays & trophies","photo":"20220622.152244.62b317a4bac3f.jpeg","content":"You can also listen to the podcast (ENG) on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and iVoox. I hope you like it!
","2_column_layout__en":"I think it's a public secret by now that the Champions League is the last club team trophy I'm still missing in my trophy case. This can be the cherry on top of this season's cake! Don't worry, I don't get nervous easily.
This month of May, I have already had the honor of celebrating two big milestones: winning La Liga and my 30th birthday! It can be fun to have your birthday in this trophy month, but it also means having your party during the day to be in bed on time to stay fit.
I'm also answering some fan questions again. If you asked me \"if I would shoot a penalty in the final?\", then you can find out the answer now!
Do you also have a question for me? Be sure to send it in through this link!
","youtubevideo":"J3K2G7DHkek","thumbnail_alignment":"left top","type":"story"},{"id":32,"status__en":1,"creator":7,"created":"2022-04-24 18:33:24","updated":"2024-11-24 20:55:35","url__en":"thibaut-talks-4-about-handling-important-moments","title":"Thibaut Talks #4 about handling important moments","photo":"20220424.182522.626579f2a9723.png","content":"You can also listen to the podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and iVoox. I hope you like it!
","2_column_layout__en":"This is without a doubt the most exciting time of the year and I'll share my view on the final development of La Liga and the Champions League.
Of course, Benzema and Modric are often named key players (and I'll talk about how they achieve that status) but we mustn't forget the power of a team!
April was also a fun month for Belgians, as that's the month a lot of classic cyclism competitions are organized. I'm no other and have enjoyed watching them.
And lastly, maybe I answered your question! Want to know the answer to \"Have you ever scored a goal\" and \"Who would win a game of arm wrestling in your team\"? Listen until the end!
Do you want to ask me a question? Be sure to send it in through this link!
","youtubevideo":"xgzvYKK6yoI","thumbnail_alignment":"left center","type":"story"},{"id":9,"creator":4,"created":"2021-10-12 14:26:06","updated":"2026-03-07 11:39:14","status":1,"offset_right":1,"offset_left":0,"title":"Real Madrid matches","stats":"326 matches","type":"statistic"},{"id":31,"status__en":1,"creator":7,"created":"2022-04-04 17:10:06","updated":"2024-11-24 20:55:35","url__en":"thibaut-talks-3-about-difficulties-and-success","title":"Thibaut Talks #3 about difficulties and success","photo":"20220404.165311.624b06570e419.png","content":"You can also listen to the podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and iVoox. I hope you like it!
The adrenaline of playing games on the highest stage is incomparable! I can see how difficult it must be to call quits on your career or even decide when you're ready for that.
Of course, the career of a pro athlete also has its fair share of ups and downs. I applaud the current evolution where we see the human behind the athlete, it's not because we're famous that we're made of stone. We gotta put the mental work in.
I also admire the fans that stick with their team when the results aren't as hoped, we absolutely feel that support. And when we experience something as the PSG win in the Bernab\u00e9u together... WOW!
Outside of football, we discuss F1 and try to look forward to the next NBA season.
As always, I answer questions from you, the fans. Like for example: \"How tall were you when you were 13 years old?\" and \"Which career would you have had, if you wouldn't be a professional goal keeper?\".
Be sure to send yours in through this link!
I\u2019m hopeful for the future, and I look forward to future business opportunities. If you\u2019re a brand or business that wants to work with me, be sure to get in touch.
<Discover all my projects through this link>","2_column_layout__en":"I\u2019m always on the lookout for new projects I can relate to and see a future in. When I invest, I prefer to work with people I can trust, who believe in their business and treat clients like family. Moreover, I think it\u2019s essential to invest in projects that share the same values that I live by.
All of my investments are closely related to my personal interests: gaming, music, sports, and real estate. Next to a Belgian charity Kleine prins vzw, I currently invest in DUX Gaming, Artist Amplifier, Ledsreact, Spanish real estate and a Belgian real estate project Vivre sur l\u2019Ourthe.All of them are promising projects I believe in, and it\u2019s nice to see them grow. DUX Gaming, for example, recently launched an NBA 2K League expansion team based in Mexico. Artist Amplifier has, among other things, a DJ Academy that focuses on children, develops their musical talents, and promotes local talent. Vivre sur l\u2019Ourthe is a real estate project that\u2019s close to my father\u2019s heart. I would like to follow a business course at Madrid University in a few years to advance my business skills.
Thibaut
","youtubevideo":"","thumbnail_alignment":"center top","type":"story"},{"id":8,"creator":4,"created":"2021-08-23 08:41:22","updated":"2025-10-14 11:14:56","status":1,"offset_right":11,"offset_left":10,"title":"Red Devils caps","stats":"107 caps","type":"statistic"},{"id":29,"status__en":1,"creator":7,"created":"2022-03-15 17:16:49","updated":"2024-11-24 20:55:35","url__en":"thibaut-talks-2-about-how-it-feels-to-stop-a-penalty","title":"Thibaut Talks #2 about how it feels to stop a penalty","photo":"20220315.172255.6230bd5f475d7.png","content":"http://www.thibautcourtois.com/for-the-fans
","2_column_layout__en":"Of course, my biggest love is football - don't you dare call it soccer ;) - but I enjoy watching other sports and following what happens to my friends there. American football, Formula 1, winter sports ... My interest is wide!
Some fans wanted to know how it feels to be up against a penalty, and even more how it feels after stopping one! You can listen to my answer in my podcast from minute 18.
Obviously, there's more going on in this year's season, outside of the Champion's League I look forward to the remainder of the La Liga season. You can bet we know what we have to do!
To listen to the podcast (in Spanish), you can go to the following platforms: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iVoox.
","youtubevideo":"2m92siolEWc","thumbnail_alignment":"center top","type":"story"},{"id":28,"status__en":1,"creator":6,"created":"2022-02-07 14:31:12","updated":"2024-11-24 20:55:35","url__en":"Thibaut-talks","title":"My new podcast","photo":"20220207.143711.6201208789b51.jpg","content":"http://www.thibautcourtois.com/for-the-fans
","2_column_layout__en":"In Thibaut Talks, I\u2019ll discuss things that happened during the past month, but I will also include you, the fans, in my conversations. This way I can give you a peek into my day to day, my life at Real Madrid and at home!
This month I talk about what an elite athlete typically does in his spare time, which Real Madrid member jokes around the most or what the reigning topic of conversation in the locker room is.
You can listen or watch on different platforms, let me know what you think in the reactions!
The podcast is available to listen to in Spanish on: IVoox, Spotify, Apple podcasts.
You can also watch the videocast on YouTube, just make sure to turn on the subtitles to get the English translation.
Enjoy!
","youtubevideo":"jA6-vnFzax0","thumbnail_alignment":"left top","type":"story"},{"id":27,"status__en":1,"creator":4,"created":"2021-12-20 18:13:53","updated":"2024-12-19 19:02:28","url__en":"ledsreact","title":"Measuring and improving agility with Ledsreact","photo":"20211220.181251.61c0b99345540.png","content":"Ledsreact is a Belgian scaleup company. Their products bring athletes to the top of their game and enable coaches to drive players\u2019 performance. How? Their devices use LEDs to improve the reaction speed, cognitive skills and fitness of players. They can be placed on every American football field, tennis court, basketball court or football pitch to improve the team\u2019s performance or for individual training sessions. The Ledsreact Pro can track both linear and multi-directional movements, so speed and agility tests become more than just a simple speed test. In addition to live results on the phone app, a web platform offers trainers further insights into the recorded data. This enables them to keep track of their players\u2019 performance.
As a keeper, I am not physically active all the time. An equally demanding part of my job is mental: I have to follow the players, estimate their moves, and choose my position accordingly. Ledsreact stimulates athletes to respond to visual cues and train their responsiveness and decision-making skills. Sometimes those mental skills are given too little attention, but they\u2019re critical to becoming a better athlete overall.
As of 2022, this Belgian-based training device will be used at the Nike Sports Performance Facility HQ in Portland. There, international athletes can train with the Ledsreact Pro and it will be used during the development of new shoes, for instance. Next to Nike and me, teams such as MLS Philadelphia Union, American football team Miami Dolphins and Ice hockey club Seattle Kraken will use this technology to benefit their workouts.
I believe that Ledsreact can become an important player in the international market. As a sportsman, I can attest to their value and appreciate their drive. That\u2019s why I decided to invest in this promising sports tech company. Our connection recently expanded beyond the scope of business. A few months ago, my sister Val\u00e9rie started working there to complete their all-athletes team. I wish her all the best and am confident that she will help grow the business.
","youtubevideo":"YrIPK8kZYXw","thumbnail_alignment":"center top","type":"story"},{"id":26,"status__en":1,"creator":4,"created":"2021-12-10 17:37:51","updated":"2024-11-24 20:55:35","url__en":"madrid-my-home","title":"Madrid, my home","photo":"20211210.184739.61b392bb8f727.jpeg","content":"After moving to Madrid to play for Atl\u00e9tico, I felt quite homesick. Nobody spoke English, so I had to learn Spanish. My fellow teammates helped me a lot. They made me feel at home and took me with them on every occasion, even though I couldn\u2019t say a word. By listening to a language, you start to understand it. Within six weeks, I gave my first press conference in Spanish. Now, I speak more Spanish than Dutch.
I\u2019m grateful I was able to sign with Real Madrid and watch my children grow up. There were times when I lived in London by myself and didn\u2019t have that opportunity. Every time I had a day off, I\u2019d travel to see them, even for just a few hours. Now, I am at their side during all the important moments in their lives.
After six years, Madrid is my home. The people, their hospitality, the food, the weather, the country: they all convinced me that Madrid is where I want to spend my life after my career.
See you soon,
Thibaut
What does it mean to be the best keeper? Is it to win the most trophies or claim the most clean sheets across a season? I\u2019d rather win 1-4 like yesterday than draw with 0-0. To me, football is always an 11-player game. That\u2019s why individual trophies are not that important to me. That being said, not all individual trophies are the same. You can\u2019t really compare a World Cup Golden Glove to The Best FIFA Goalkeeper. The latter is more about popularity, whereas the Golden Glove is judged by a panel of experts: people who value position play, your ability to counter high balls, etc. Although Belgium came in third in 2018, my name was added to the list of iconic goalkeepers like Neuer, Casillas or Buffon. To show your skills at that level and prove that you belong there is a big deal to me.
The best part about playing as a team is to see our efforts pay off. Winning a trophy or the title is our common goal. For an entire season, we really have to work together to win as often as possible. That\u2019s why every trophy has its own sentimental value. Winning the title with Real Madrid, the title with KRC Genk, The Europa League with Atl\u00e9tico Madrid or two Premier Leagues with Chelsea FC are all equally important to me. But winning trophies or titles isn\u2019t all there is to a career. Your last month of playing is what people will remember, so you have to perform well in every match.
Of course, there\u2019s one more trophy I\u2019d like to add to my trophy case. Winning the upcoming Champions League with Real Madrid is at the top of my list. Last time, nobody thought we would make it to the semi-finals, but we made it through anyway. With that many experienced and motivated players, we\u2019re determined to get as far as possible. Our team\u2019s ready for it!
Thibaut
","youtubevideo":"","thumbnail_alignment":"center top","type":"story"},{"id":5,"creator":1,"created":"2020-04-09 17:30:49","updated":"2026-02-19 12:19:47","status":1,"offset_right":5,"offset_left":4,"title":"Clean sheets Overall","stats":"327 Clean Sheets","type":"statistic"},{"id":24,"status__en":1,"creator":4,"created":"2021-11-18 10:47:40","updated":"2024-11-24 20:55:35","url__en":"ten-years-red-devils","title":"Ten years playing for the Red Devils","photo":"20211119.124420.61978e14ad4b4.jpeg","content":"Thank you for reading,
Thibaut
This Sunday is circled on my calendar. Being one of the most followed matches in the world, I\u2019ll explain why the El Cl\u00e1sico is extremely important to the team, our fans and me personally.
It\u2019s exciting when two of the biggest clubs in Spain meet. Whether it\u2019s El Derbi or El Cl\u00e1sico: both are classics you really want to win. For me, El Cl\u00e1sico also goes back to my childhood. As a little boy, I always looked forward to watching the match live on television. The fact that I am now part of this iconic match completes the circle.
Nevertheless, our preparations remain the same as usual. In the end, three points are still at stake. Details might be more important, but you have to be focused on every single match at Real Madrid. I know the players in my locker room are professional enough to prepare for this match like any other. It\u2019s the fans that truly make an El Cl\u00e1sico different.
El Cl\u00e1sico is not only a match between teams; it\u2019s a prestigious match between fans. We\u2019ve won the last three Cl\u00e1sicos in LaLiga, which certainly gives us confidence. But you start from scratch at each El Cl\u00e1sico. You have to be present from the first second. The fact that the first El Cl\u00e1sico of the season is an away game does not pose a greater challenge. Winning an El Cl\u00e1sico away or at home can give a boost for the rest of our LaLiga season. Seeing the joy on our fans\u2019 faces gives every Real Madrid player a great feeling. We love knowing that we\u2019ve made you proud.
Thibaut
The final score after our game against Celta Vigo was 5-2, but the most important number of the match was the 25,000 fans cheering us on.
Do not underestimate your presence: we want to hear you scream. We want to feel your eyes following our every footstep. We want you to be there right next to us for the full 90 minutes. To have your support through all the highs and lows means a lot to the team. That\u2019s when a stadium becomes a home.
We\u2019re glad we could do the Bernab\u00e9u the honour of bringing home its first win, with many more to come. I\u2019d like to dedicate this victory to our past president Lorenzo Sanz and all the former football players who lost their lives last year. We will try to make you proud. First, we face two away games. But in a few weeks, we\u2019ll welcome Mallorca into our midst.
Playing at home, they will have to challenge us on our pitch, in front of our fans. Last season, we experienced it does make a difference to play in a small stadium compared to the Bernab\u00e9u. Although the construction work will not be finished anytime soon, I can already see how impressive the final result will be. This is our house. Anyone who enters it will feel its presence.
Thibaut.
","youtubevideo":"","thumbnail_alignment":"","type":"story"},{"id":18,"status__en":1,"creator":4,"created":"2021-08-30 16:28:01","updated":"2024-11-24 20:55:35","url__en":"its-devil-time-with-no-time-to-spare","title":"It\u2019s devil time, with no time to spare!","photo":"20210830.162749.612ceae5c6d41.jpg","content":"But first, let\u2019s take a look back at our UEFA 2020 campaign. Obviously, I\u2019m disappointed that we didn\u2019t get further than the quarter-finals at the European Championship in June. This team always aspires to reach the highest level. But at the top, sometimes it\u2019s the details that decide which team goes through and which doesn\u2019t. Unfortunately, we didn\u2019t. There\u2019s not a single person to blame. I can honestly say that the whole group gave everything and was very motivated. Now we must analyse our own performance as we did as a team.
I\u2019m looking forward to a tight schedule next week. It\u2019s safe to say we are up for a test. Playing three games in one week is a lot, but we\u2019re determined to make every match count. A few days after our international break, there\u2019s a LaLiga match against Celta de Vigo. Three days later, we will face Inter de Mil\u00e1n and kick off our Champions League campaign. In between, we have to travel, recuperate and prepare for the next match. With a full calendar ahead, I believe the decision-makers need to listen to the players. Pressure to perform is never a problem for me, but our bodies need the time to rest. Sometimes, that is not taken enough into consideration.
Hopefully, we will have the World Cup within reach next year after the three upcoming matches against Estonia, the Czech Republic, and Belarus. Our ultimate goal is to qualify as soon as possible. If we succeed, we can fully concentrate on the final round of the Nations League in October.
The World Cup in 2022 will be a puzzle too. It will be played in November and December, which is quite revolutionary. I\u2019m already curious as to what next season\u2019s calendar will look like. There will not be fewer matches, but I do see a positive side to it. With the tournament taking place quite early, most of the players will still be fresh. I dare to hope that this will be an advantage for Belgium. But let\u2019s take things one step at a time and focus on winning the next three matches in a row. For Belgium!
Thibaut.
The atmosphere in the changing rooms. The sound of fans cheering from the stands. Three years later, I\u2019m happy to announce my contract extension with Real Madrid until 2026.
My family and friends recently asked me where I\u2019d like to play in the coming years. My answer remains the same today as it was when I was a little boy: Real Madrid. Adding two more years in the best shirt in the world makes that childhood dream even sweeter. I love being a part of Real Madrid. It\u2019s a blessing to extend my family at home with a whole new one on the field.
Prolonging my relationship with the Real Madrid family until 2026 is a true honour. Real Madrid is my home, and I\u2019m grateful to be so warmly welcomed here. To me, this extension is a reward for my efforts over the past year. It encourages me to work even harder and give my all to the best club in the world. Over the next five years, I will do my best together with our team to acquire new trophies for our Madridistas.
It\u2019s no secret that winning the Champions League with Real Madrid is at the top of my wish list. But here\u2019s a promise from me to you - I\u2019ll start every match like there\u2019s a trophy at stake. This club and its fans deserve that. Real Madrid already has a well-stocked trophy cabinet. Still, I would be very proud if I could look back and say that my teammates and I added a few more cups to the glorious history of this club. I\u2019m looking forward to a bright future with Real Madrid.
Hala Madrid!
Thibaut.
When Real Madrid asked me to play with Numero Uno, I truly felt honored. Wearing the number one is the ultimate reward to celebrate a tough, but successful past season. It motivates me even more to turn that number into greater results.
","offset_right":51,"offset_left":50,"story_types":3,"thumbnail":"20200907.110948.5f55f8dc3294f.png","content_2__en":"","2_column_layout__en":"To most people, it might come as a surprise that for over 11 years, with more than 430 club matches and counting, I never played with number 1 on my back. Only in youth matches and of course with the Belgian Red Devils, but never at club level with KRC Genk, Real Madrid, Atl\u00e9tico or Chelsea. I can only look back to good memories with my previous number 13, but now that Real Madrid offered me the No.1 , I\u2019m excited to pursue new victories wearing this shirt.
Playing as number 1 also has an important symbolic value. Without a doubt, it\u2019s an iconic number for any goalkeeper to wear. Following the footsteps of true icons at Real Madrid like Iker Casillas, Ricardo Zamora, Bodo Illgner and Francisco Buyo, I\u2019m grateful to represent the best club in the world.
It\u2019s no secret that Iker Casillas is my biggest example amongst those legendary goalkeepers. Even though he decided to end his career on the field, he\u2019ll remain my all-time number one;
He wore #1 when Real Madrid won multiple Champions Leagues, when the team brought home another LaLiga title and even when he broke several records in football history.
Like Iker, I hope to experience great moments with this 1 on my back and make the whole Real Madrid family proud...
Thibaut
","youtubevideo":"2nOsafU_3O4","thumbnail_alignment":"center top","type":"story"},{"id":9,"status__en":1,"creator":4,"created":"2020-06-13 15:40:34","updated":"2024-11-24 20:55:35","url__en":"celebrating-my-500th-match","title":"Celebrating my 500th match","photo":"20211122.151541.619ba60de3411.png","content":"Thibaut.
","2_column_layout__en":"Time flies. It has only been 11 years since I started my career as a professional goalkeeper. During those years, I got to play for the best clubs in the world, including the Red Devils and Real Madrid. Let\u2019s take a step back to look back on 500 matches.
Starting as a young goalkeeper at KRC Genk, I got to experience what it feels like to become National Champions. I learned how to stay calm under pressure and grew as a goalkeeper thanks to people who saw my talent and believed that I could achieve my greatest goals.
When Chelsea spotted my potential, things started to move in third gear. Through them, I got the chance to play for Atl\u00e9tico. There, I was given the number 13, which I\u2019m still wearing today. Winning La Liga, the Copa del Rey, The UEFA Europa League and Supercup with our team was more than I could ever ask for. I learned to keep pushing: improving day by day, match by match.
I\u2019m grateful for the chances that both Chelsea and Atl\u00e9tico offered me, allowing me to improve my game. Moving to another country away from my family and friends was hard at first, but it\u2019s something I had to do to get to where I am today. With the FA Cup, the Football League, and two Premier Leagues won with Chelsea, we achieved great things together.
Today, I\u2019m proud to represent the Red Devils and Real Madrid. Even though the games were postponed, we\u2019re determined to finish the season strong and hopefully come out on top.
","youtubevideo":"_7--aIdGrE0","thumbnail_alignment":"left top","type":"story"},{"id":8,"status__en":1,"creator":4,"created":"2020-05-04 12:49:23","updated":"2024-11-24 20:55:35","url__en":"this-is-for-the-fans-interview","title":"This is for the fans - interview","photo":"20200504.151640.5eb015b8e4399.jpg","content":"Nice to meet you,
Thibaut.
","2_column_layout__en":"Sometimes moving times like the worldwide crisis we\u2019re facing right now, force you to stand still for a minute.
Through this interview, I try to give you an honest insight on life from my personal perspective. I\u2019ll talk to you about football, family, more football, and fans: they\u2019re the true reason why I started this website in the first place. Thank you for helping me achieve my greatest goals. I hope the stories on this website will encourage you to push your own limits.
In the next 27 minutes, you\u2019ll get to know my biggest takeaway from this crisis, discover what I appreciate most about the Spanish culture, find out how I believe the football season could continue and even get to know what I might have become if I gave up my goalkeeping dream as an 11-year-old.
","youtubevideo":"zeBDM9jrN30","thumbnail_alignment":"","type":"story"},{"id":6,"creator":1,"created":"2020-04-09 17:31:15","updated":"2025-10-11 10:39:57","status":1,"offset_right":15,"offset_left":14,"title":"Red Devils Overall","stats":"54 Clean Sheets","type":"statistic"},{"id":1,"status__en":1,"creator":1,"created":"2020-04-09 16:36:04","updated":"2024-11-24 20:55:35","url__en":"answering-13-fan-questions","title":" Answering 13 fan questions","photo":"20200410.100301.5e9028359aeb1.jpg","content":"Keep posted to my Facebook, Twitter & Instagram channels to ask yours soon.
Thibaut.
","2_column_layout__en":"It has always been my dream to play football at the highest level. But I couldn\u2019t have been standing where I am today without the support of my fans. So the least I can do is give you a glimpse of what life as a pro looks like.
Get in touch:
amplifyacademy.be
info@amplifyacademy.be
That one song can get you in the right, focused mindset before the match. As a music fan myself, I wanted to add something to the mix. That\u2019s why I choose to support Amplify Academy, where future DJ\u2019s and producers can kick start their career.
I truly believe in the power of music. There are a lot of talented kids who are ready to be discovered. Thanks to the Amplify Academy, they gain not only new skills but a professional mentor who believes in them. Just like KRC Genk saw something in the 16-year-old me.
The result is fresh music from young, local talent in Belgium. You can even discover some of their work in my matchday music playlist.
Enjoy.
Thibaut.
Thanks,
Thibaut
Find out more:
vzwkleineprins.be
info@vzwkleineprins.be
As a father of two, I realize how lucky I am having two fantastic, healthy children. Unfortunately, not every kid gets to grow up happy & healthy. Each year, there are hundreds of Belgian families where the life of a child gets threatened by some kind of dangerous disease.
A few years ago, I got in touch with a local organization in Belgium called Kleine Prins vzw. They support little princes, princesses and their families in their battle against a life-threatening disease. When Kleine Prins asked me to be their godfather, I didn\u2019t hesitate. Helping kids and their families who need it most is much more valuable than winning any match. It\u2019s a tough war that no child or family should have to fight alone.
Through this site, you and I can soon give those strong kids the support they deserve. That way we can battle life-threatening child diseases all together, finding a cure or easing the pain for the tough little battlers who are fighting every day to spend more time with the people they love.
","youtubevideo":"","thumbnail_alignment":"center top","type":"story"},{"id":4,"creator":1,"created":"2020-04-09 17:30:49","updated":"2024-09-22 07:59:36","status":1,"offset_right":13,"offset_left":12,"title":"Last Individual Trophy","stats":"Yashin Trophy S21-22","type":"statistic"},{"id":4,"status__en":1,"creator":4,"created":"2020-04-14 14:36:12","updated":"2024-11-24 20:55:35","url__en":"10-seconds-that-changed-football-history","title":"10 seconds that changed football history","photo":"20200505.153753.5eb16c315bd13.jpg","content":"Rostov, Russia, July 2nd, 2018. It\u2019s 2-2 in the 94th minute of the game when I grab the ball from the corner and toss it as quickly as possible to Kevin De Bruyne. It took 10 seconds from there to Nacer Chadli's goal. I've seen the replay a couple of times, but actually I don't need the images to relive the event. It was such an intense moment, so much was at stake. Months, years, weeks of hard work leading up to victory. Things could have been so much different if Nacer did not score, if Romelu didn\u2019t let the ball pass by, if Thomas didn't perform that spectacular run, if Kevin didn\u2019t give that pass, if I had waited 1 second longer, if... But we did make it work. That one goal did not only save our tournament, it made our team so much bigger. It set Belgium on fire.
","youtubevideo":"","thumbnail_alignment":"","type":"story"},{"id":6,"status__en":1,"creator":4,"created":"2020-04-29 14:55:38","updated":"2024-11-24 20:55:35","url__en":"the-title-fight-that-kicked-off-my-career","title":"The title fight that kicked off my career","photo":"20200504.180305.5eb03cb991ad2.jpg","content":"Genk, Belgium, May 17th, 2011. Ever since I started playing for Genk at the age of 7, I dreamt of winning the national title.
A few days after my 19th birthday, our young KRC Genk team got a first clear shot at becoming national champions for the third time in history.
It's 1-1 on the scoring board going into the final phase. That means it's do or die time for the team: in order to celebrate, we needed to score a draw or a win.
At that point, I\u2019m well aware that all pressure\u2019s on me. The nerves are running through my body, but I\u2019m more focused than ever to finish this one for the team.
Suddenly, a Standard player shows up on his own. It\u2019s me against him now. Fully concentrated, I push the forceful shot over the bar. With the corners coming up right after, I urge my teammates to pay close attention. With a mindful reflex, I whip up the ball two times just before the goal line.
The next thing I hear is a sound announcing the end of the match, thousands of screaming fans, and an excited team, realising the battle is over. In those magical seconds, you feel unbeatable. For the first time ever, I know what it means to become a national champion.
","youtubevideo":"Q8QlNXrXhRA","thumbnail_alignment":"","type":"story"},{"id":7,"status__en":1,"creator":4,"created":"2020-04-29 17:18:15","updated":"2024-11-24 20:55:35","url__en":"hi-im-thibaut","title":"Hi, I'm Thibaut.","photo":"20200429.171813.5ea99ab53521a.jpeg","content":"Let\u2019s keep the good thing going.
Thibaut.
","2_column_layout__en":"I\u2019ll show you around, tell you what I do, what I aspire to become, why I keep pushing. This is my way of saying thanks to my fans and to give something in return.
Because thanks to you, I get to do what I love most and play for the greatest team in the world.
But also because not everyone has the opportunities I\u2019ve had. Luckily there are people and organizations that care for those in need. Through this site, you and I can soon give them the support they deserve.
","youtubevideo":"","thumbnail_alignment":"","type":"story"}]