Thibaut Courtois has admitted that this World Cup might be his last. In truth, nobody would blame him for retiring internationally. As proud as he has been to represent his nation, Belgium have been severely underwhelming in modern history.
It seems like every single year, Belgium are pipped to be the 'team to watch', but we all know how that tale has gone. This year is no different, with two draws from their opening two World Cup games. After two games, they sit third in what should have been a routine group for them to top.
Thibaut Courtois prepared to say goodbye to an underwhelming international career
Thibaut Courtois has to go down as one of the best players of all-time to never win the World Cup. He is not the best player to never win it, considering the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo have also gone without winning the World Cup. However, he is certainly up there with some of the best.
Belgium's shortcomings on the international stage are no fault of Courtois. If anything, he has been one of Belgium's best players of all-time.
Thibaut Courtois is simply one of those players who will be remembered for his club days, rather than his international days. For all the talk about Belgium's shortcomings, we mustn't overlook just how decorated Thibaut Courtois truly is.
Genk
- Belgian Pro League
Atlético Madrid
- La Liga
- Copa del Rey
- UEFA Europa League
- UEFA Super Cup
Chelsea
- Premier League x2
- FA Cup
- Football League Cup
Real Madrid
- La Liga x3
- Copa del Rey
- Supercopa de España x2
- UEFA Champions League x2
- UEFA Super Cup x2
- FIFA Club World Cup
- FIFA Intercontinental Cup
Thibaut Courtois is closer to retiring internationally than he is domestically. The feeling is that he's still the best goalkeeper in the world, and he still has plenty to give at Real Madrid.
With Jose Mourinho coming in as the new manager of Los Blancos, there is still plenty to gain from the two former Chelsea guys working together in football's capital.
Mourinho is already hard at work to strengthen many of Real Madrid's key positions, but the goalkeeper isn't one of them. There is no way that Real Madrid can strengthen in a position where they already have the best in the world.
There's no hiding from the fact that Thibaut Courtois is in the closing chapter of his career, but it is still far too early for Real Madrid to act. Time may be working against Courtois, but he is still ageing like a fine wine. Real Madrid needn't fix what's not broken.
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