Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has hailed the disciplined approach of head coach Jose Mourinho, describing the Portuguese tactician’s methods as the right path towards silverware.
Speaking to Real Madrid TV at the club’s Valdebebas training complex in Madrid, Spain, on Sunday, the 34-year-old Belgian shot-stopper opened up about his early return to individual training and his excitement at working under Mourinho for a second time.
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Courtois resumed light training last Friday, ahead of his scheduled return, and continued with individual goalkeeping drills on Sunday while his teammates rested following their match against Ferencváros.
The early restart forms part of a careful recovery plan following the quadriceps injury he suffered during Belgium’s World Cup quarter-final defeat to Spain on July 10.
That setback, which forced him off in tears in the 71st minute, ended a run of 21 consecutive World Cup appearances without missing a minute for his country.
His replacement, Senne Lammens, was beaten late on as Mikel Merino sealed a 2-1 win for the hosts.
Medical scans on Courtois’ return to Madrid later confirmed the injury was minor, easing fears of a lengthy layoff that might have jeopardised his start to the new campaign.
Reflecting on his recovery, Courtois said he felt no lingering discomfort. “I returned a bit early because, due to the injury, I wanted to ensure I was entirely fit through individual training before reuniting with the team,” he said. “Today I focused on goalkeeping drills and felt excellent, overjoyed to be back.”
The goalkeeper’s admiration for Mourinho was unmistakable throughout the interview.
He described the new head coach as an exceptionally strict figure who places discipline and collective effort above individual reputation, qualities he believes are vital for a club of Real Madrid’s stature.
“He is a fantastic coach, and his demeanour is very approachable,” Courtois said.
“He speaks the truth as it is, which I appreciate. I believe this is the direction we need to pursue.”
The pairing carries genuine history. Courtois and Mourinho previously worked together at Chelsea, where they combined to lift the Premier League title, a triumph that still shapes the goalkeeper’s trust in his former manager’s methods.
That shared success now returns to the fore as the two prepare for a fresh chapter in Spain.
Courtois also struck a note of caution regarding the pace of pre-season conditioning, mindful of his recent muscular troubles, which included a similar quadriceps issue that ruled him out of last season’s Champions League quarter-final against Bayern Munich.
“If we push ourselves too hard at the start, we risk early injuries,” he said.
“We will quickly regain our fitness because we did not have an extended break, and we will be in good shape.”
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With his rapport with Mourinho already rekindled and his recovery ahead of schedule, Courtois appears determined to anchor Real Madrid’s goal once again as the club begins a new era under its returning coach.
Peculiar Adirika is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, business, and public affairs.
