Rabat – Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has welcomed the opportunity to work with José Mourinho again, describing the Portuguese coach as demanding, disciplined and committed to placing the interests of the team above individual players.
Courtois returned to Real Madrid’s training complex on Sunday and completed an individual session before joining the rest of the squad. The Belgian explained that he returned slightly earlier than planned because he wanted to make sure he had fully recovered from the injury he suffered during the 2026 World Cup.
“I came back a little earlier because, with the injury, I wanted to make sure everything was fine by doing individual training before being with the team,” Courtois told Real Madrid TV.
He added that he had already completed goalkeeper-specific work and felt comfortable during the session.
The 34-year-old suffered the injury during Belgium’s World Cup quarter-final against Spain, when he was forced off with around 20 minutes remaining. Belgium were subsequently eliminated from the competition.
Courtois also spoke positively about Mourinho’s return to Real Madrid, with the goalkeeper currently the only member of the squad to have previously worked under the Portuguese coach.
“Mourinho is a coach who demands a lot: discipline, the group before individuals,” Courtois said. “For me, those are important things to win.”
“He is a great coach and, as a human being, he is very close to his players. He says things the way they are, and I like that. I think this is the direction we have to take.”
Premier League success together
Courtois and Mourinho previously worked together at Chelsea during the goalkeeper’s first season in the Premier League following his return from a three-year loan spell at Atlético Madrid.
The pair won the 2014-15 Premier League title together, with Mourinho’s Chelsea securing the championship with three matches remaining. Courtois established himself ahead of Petr Čech during that campaign and kept 13 league clean sheets.
“We were together at Chelsea and won the Premier League,” Courtois recalled. “I have very good memories of him and I am happy to be under his orders again.”
The goalkeeper said he hopes their reunion will produce another successful period, adding that his personal objective is to win trophies after Real Madrid’s disappointing previous campaign.
Courtois also acknowledged that Mourinho faces a complicated preseason because several Madrid players have returned at different times following the late conclusion of the World Cup.
He stressed the importance of gradually rebuilding fitness rather than rushing preparations and increasing the risk of injuries.
Real Madrid are now entering the final phase of their preseason program, with Courtois expected to return to full group training after completing his individual recovery work.
