It’s not just a matter of a few games, nor is it isolated to this single season. The truth is that Thibaut Courtois has been, for quite some time now, one of Real Madrid‘s best players-another major success story for club president Florentino Pérez.
Every time he’s put under pressure, the Belgian goalkeeper responds in goal, but now he’s revealed a side where, surprisingly, he can also deliver in the best possible way.
Thibaut Courtois is also a playmaker
The first of the three goals scored by Fede Valverde in the first half against Manchester City came from an assist by Courtois. Yes, a pass from the Real Madrid goalkeeper set up the goal, marking his second assist of the season in the UEFA Champions League.
Now, Thibaut Courtois has become the first goalkeeper in the history of the Champions League to record two assists in the same season-after providing a pass to Kylian Mbappé on September 30 against FC Kairat Almaty, and now assisting Fede Valverde against Manchester City in the Champions League Round of 16.
To put it in an even more striking perspective, the Belgian international has more assists in the Champions League this season than Raphinha, one of the stars of FC Barcelona-a statistic that has sparked plenty of debate among Real Madrid and Barcelona fans.
After securing a 3-0 win at the Santiago Bernabéu, Real Madrid now hopes to confirm their place in the Champions League Quarterfinals on March 17, when Carlo Ancelotti‘s side travels to Manchester to face Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.
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