'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Alaves manager Luis Garcia has hailed Real Madrid's Thibaut Courtois as the best goalkeeper in the world. His El Glorioso side face Los Blancos in La Liga tomorrow (September 24).
Garcia's men will come up against an in-form Courtois, who has kept four clean sheets in eight games at the start of the season. The veteran Belgian shot-stopper did net an unfortunate own goal in a 4-1 win over Espanyol last time out.
However, Garcia has no qualms in naming the 32-year-old the world's best goalkeeper. The Spanish coach said (via the Madrid Zone):
"Thibaut Courtois is the best goalkeeper in the world, by far. No doubts. It’s like he has five hands."
Courtois has shown why he's Real Madrid's No.1 after returning from an ACL injury at the back end of last season. He returned to his role as Carlo Ancelotti's first-choice goalkeeper, displacing Andriy Lunin in goal.
The former Chelsea shot-stopper was superb in Madrid's 2-0 win over Borussia Dortmund in the UEFA Champions League final. He made three saves to help Los Merengues to their 15th European title.
Courtois has made 243 appearances at the Santiago Bernabeu, keeping 100 clean sheets. He's won 12 major trophies and the UEFA Goalkeeper of the Year award in 2022.
Real Madrid's Thibaut Courtois sent heartfelt message to Marc-Andre ter Stegen after Barcelona star's injury
Marc-Andre ter Stegen suffered a ruptured patella tendon in Barcelona's 5-1 win against Villareal on Sunday (September 22). The German shot-stopper is set for a spell on the sidelines and will have knee surgery.
Courtois knows all about missing a lengthy period after sitting out most of Real Madrid's 2023-24 campaign due to a pre-season ACL injury. He offered his support to the Barca goalkeeper with a post on X:
"I'm sorry about the injury (Ter Stegen), it really hurt to see you leave the field like that. I hope you can recover soon and we can see you in goal again."
Ter Stegen is perhaps one of several goalkeepers who give Courtois a run for his money as the best in the world. He's been vital for Barca for several years and his absence is problematic for Blaugrana boss Hansi Flick.
Barca has started the season strongly and sits top of La Liga after six games with a fourth-point lead over Madrid. Carlo Ancelotti's men can move within one point of the Catalans with a victory against Alaves.
