Courtois: "My Real Madrid renewal is not done yet, only the final details remain"

Thibaut Courtois has given an extensive interview to Dazn Belgium in which he reviewed the main issues surrounding his career. The Real Madrid goalkeeper spoke openly about his contract negotiations, gave his opinion on the Ballon d'Or and clarified the controversy around his absence from the Belgian national team. At 33 years old, the Bree native remains a key figure for Los Blancos and his continuity seems closer than ever, although he prefers not to take it for granted yet.

• Courtois says his renewal is not signed yet and only the final details remain.
• The Belgian backs Kylian Mbappe to win this year's Ballon d'Or.
• He questions the award's voting system and recalls the Rodri-Vinicius debate from 2024.
• He confirms he was removed from the Belgium players' WhatsApp group.
• He makes clear he has never demanded a starting spot to return to the national team.

How Courtois' Real Madrid renewal is progressing

Courtois remains focused on staying in white for many more years. In the interview, he acknowledged that the agreement has not yet reached the finish line, but the feeling is positive: "It is not closed yet. In principle, it should be sorted quickly. There is no problem. We just need to find time for my representative and my father to talk about the last details."

The goalkeeper joined Real Madrid from Chelsea in 2018 and has since won two Champions League titles, three LaLiga trophies and a long list of silverware, establishing himself as one of the most decisive shot-stoppers in Europe. With his future almost on track, Madrid fans can rest easy: the Belgian has no doubt that his home is at the Bernabeu.

Courtois weighs in on the Ballon d'Or race

The goalkeeper did not dodge the question about who deserves to lift the next Ballon d'Or and had a clear answer from the start: "I think Kylian deserves it. Do we pick someone who has won titles or someone who has stood above the rest for the whole season, even if he has not won anything? I think nobody has been better than Mbappe individually, but unfortunately we have not won anything collectively."

Lamine Yamal, one of the great revelations of Spanish football, also came up in that reflection. Courtois acknowledged the Barcelona star's merit, although he placed him one step behind the Frenchman: "For me, he had a somewhat worse World Cup, but he became world champion, won the league with Barcelona and had a good year."

The voting system under scrutiny from Courtois

"Sometimes it is hard to know how to vote for the Ballon d'Or."

The Madrid goalkeeper also took aim at the criteria behind the most prestigious individual award in football. For him, what happened in the 2024 edition remains difficult to explain, especially the choice of Rodri over Vinicius and Carvajal. Courtois felt that the Spanish midfielder's campaign was not his brightest ever, despite winning the European Championship with Spain. "The year before, when City won the Champions League, I think he would have deserved to win it," he said.

His relationship with Belgium: from the WhatsApp group to lending a hand

The controversy with the Belgian national team also had its place in the conversation. Courtois revealed a detail that does not go unnoticed: he is no longer part of the players' messaging group. "I have been kicked out of the players' WhatsApp group. That group is used to share information, like training schedules. There are some messages from time to time, but not too many," he explained naturally.

Despite that distance, the Belgian made clear he is willing to help his country whenever the coach considers it necessary, but without making demands: "I have never gone to the national team assuming I would play automatically. I know my qualities and I know I can be important for the team. Nobody has to guarantee me a starting spot." The message aims to put an end to the rumors about supposed conditions for a return.

What Courtois expects from this season with Real Madrid

On the pitch, Courtois faces the decisive stretch of the season as the undisputed owner of the Real Madrid goal. His performances in big matches have made him a life insurance policy for the team coached by Carlo Ancelotti. The renewal taking shape would not only lock down one of the most complete goalkeepers on the planet, but would also send a message of stability to the entire squad.