Courtois explains his Belgium break: "My priority is Real Madrid, I owe them everything"

Thibaut Courtois has used the international break to stay at Valdebebas and focus entirely on Real Madrid. The Belgian goalkeeper agreed with national team coach Mark Van Bommel to skip the Nations League matches and remain under José Mourinho's orders. In an interview with Onda Cero, the shot-stopper explained the reasons behind this international pause and reviewed the current situation at the club.

• Courtois agreed with Van Bommel to miss the Nations League in order to protect his body and arrive fresh for Real Madrid's key matches.
• The Belgian says the club has given him everything and he wants to show his best version there.
• He believes Kylian Mbappé deserves the Ballon d'Or thanks to his speed, his goals and his ability to beat defenders.
• On Mourinho, he says the coach still pushes hard in training and tactical talks, even if he seems calmer with the press.
• He admits his character has changed and he no longer gets angry as easily as before.

Why Courtois stepped away from Belgium during the Nations League

The goalkeeper had a direct conversation with Van Bommel in which he laid out his reasoning. He understands that for a newly arrived coach it is not pleasant to hear one of his key players ask for a rest, but he felt this was the right time to do it.

The heavy schedule in the coming weeks played a major role in his decision. Courtois looks at the fixture list and sees demanding matches against Villarreal, Roma, Sevilla, Leipzig and the Clásico, with almost no room for recovery. In his view, the Nations League offers attractive games, but the lack of friendlies makes it hard to rotate and test new players in other contexts.

I spoke with Van Bommel, he came here to see me. I understand that for a coach who has just arrived it is not fun to hear that, but I explained my reasoning.

Courtois and Van Bommel: no guaranteed spot with Belgium

The Belgian coach made it clear that he cannot promise him a starting place if he decides to return later. Courtois says he has never felt that his position is guaranteed and that competition is simply part of football. If Belgium needs him in other international breaks, they can talk about it and consider a return.

Courtois' priority: reaching his best level for Real Madrid

The goalkeeper recalls the injury he suffered against Manchester City last season, after a year and a half without physical problems, and admits it hurt him deeply. He works with a physiotherapist and a personal trainer, takes care of every detail, and does it because the club that pays him is Real Madrid.

Courtois loves playing for his country, especially at World Cups and European Championships, but he is clear about who he owes everything to. He does not want to return exhausted from an international camp and see his performance drop in a difficult match like the one against Villarreal. For him, that demand is a form of respect towards Real Madrid.

In the end, the one I owe everything to is Real Madrid and I want the best version of Courtois to be here.

Real Madrid's hunger for trophies and his son in the academy

The Belgian is in his ninth season at Real Madrid and says the hunger for silverware remains intact. It is the standard the club demands, and he admits he still pinches himself when he thinks about where he is.

His nine-year-old son also plays in the club's youth system, in the Benjamín A team. Courtois says the boy still needs to grow a few more centimeters and plays as a forward. He prefers him not to be a goalkeeper because comparisons with his father would be too tough for a child.

This is my ninth season and I still pinch myself that I am here.

What Courtois says about Mbappé, the Ballon d'Or and Mourinho

Kylian Mbappé and the Ballon d'Or

Courtois has no doubts: Mbappé deserves the Ballon d'Or. He considers it an individual award and believes collective titles should not carry so much weight. He points to Carvajal as an example, who won almost everything two years ago. About the French forward, he highlights his speed, the ease with which he leaves opponents behind and his goalscoring instinct.

José Mourinho, just as demanding as at Chelsea

The goalkeeper sees Mourinho as being just as good as when they worked together at Chelsea, though with some nuances. Twelve years have passed and football has evolved. Day to day and in front of the media he seems calmer, but on the pitch and in tactical meetings he still pushes hard and says things to people's faces.

Courtois' new character and his honesty with the media

Courtois admits he used to get angry more easily, both with his own performances and with what was happening around him. Last season was difficult and every sign of frustration was interpreted as an alarm signal. Now he feels calmer and has learned to manage those situations better.

About his relationship with the press, he explains that in the mixed zone he does not say everything because some internal matters must be protected. He considers himself self-critical and acknowledges his mistakes without excuses, as happened in the Copa del Rey final. For a goalkeeper, a mistake is punished more heavily than for a forward.