Thibaut Courtois has claimed he is one of the world’s best goalkeepers despite coming in for criticism at Real Madrid this season.
The Belgian’s performance against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League was heavily criticised and Courtois was then substituted at half-time after conceding twice against Club Brugge, with rumours emerging that he was struggling with anxiety.
Yet Courtois has insisted that his form remains good, and that he is one of the world’s best goalkeepers.
“With my talent and my form, I am certain that I belong among the best,” Courtois told the Belgian media.
“That is precisely why I have been criticised.
“I have only conceded seven goals in La Liga so there is nothing wrong with my form.”
Courtois also expanded on the Club Brugge game, explaining that he was ill, and that the goals were not necessarily his fault.
“They were two bizarre goals and then I had to go off because I was sick.
“But I don’t read the papers. As a professional, you only pay attention to what the coach, your team-mates and those who know what it is like to be a goalkeeper say.
“To criticise someone for letting in a goal is very easy, but I’ve remained calm and done my work at training.
“I’ve never doubted my ability. To lose my self-confidence would be the biggest mistake I could make. You go downhill from there.
“The pressure belongs at a clubs like Real and I don’t have a problem with that. At [former clubs] Chelsea, at Atletico and now at Real, you have to achieve.”
Belgium have already qualified for Euro 2020 having won every game in Group I.
They face Russia in St Petersburg on Saturday.
