what happened to courtois
Thibaut Courtois has gone through a rough couple of years mainly because of serious knee injuries and a big fallout with the Belgium national team, but he is still Real Madrid’s first-choice goalkeeper and under contract until 2027.
Quick Scoop: What happened to Courtois?
- He suffered two major knee injuries (including an ACL) that wiped out most of his 2023–24 season and forced a race against time to be fit again for Real Madrid, including the Champions League final.
- Despite that, he fought back and returned to play at a high level, with Real Madrid still viewing him as one of the best goalkeepers in the world.
- Physically, there are now long‑term concerns at Madrid about how much longer his body – especially his knees – can handle the top level, which is why the club is already thinking about “life after Courtois.”
- Contract-wise, his deal has been extended to 2027 , so he remains tied to Real Madrid for at least one more season, even though he reportedly declined an extra two‑year extension to 2028.
- On the international side, he had a self‑imposed exile from Belgium after a bust‑up in 2023, with a lot of speculation that it was about the captain’s armband, which he says is not true.
- In 2025 he finally returned to the Belgium squad, saying he wasn’t mentally ready before, admitted he made mistakes, and said he’d “talked everything out” with his teammates.
Mini timeline
- 2021 – Extends his Real Madrid contract to 2026.
- 2023–24 season – Suffers serious knee injuries, misses almost the entire season, then battles back to fitness.
- 2023 – Leaves Belgium camp, big controversy over his exit and relationship with coach and federation.
- 2025 – Returns to Belgium, explains his side, says there were “misunderstandings” and that he wasn’t mentally ready and was also injured.
- 2025–2026 – Real Madrid secure him with a deal running to 2027, but are increasingly worried about his long‑term physical condition and what comes after him.
Club situation vs. national team
| Aspect | Real Madrid | Belgium |
|---|---|---|
| Current status | Starting goalkeeper, still viewed as “untouchable” when fit. | [9]Re‑integrated into squad after long absence. | [8][2]
| Contract / future | Under contract until 2027, club already planning for post‑Courtois era due to age and knees. | [5][9]Hopes of fresh start after controversies, but relationship with fans and federation needed rebuilding. | [10][2][8]
| Main issues | Repeating knee problems, physical wear at 33+, long‑term durability. | [6][9]Past exit from camp, misunderstandings, questions over commitment and captaincy rumours. | [2][8][10]
Forum / “trending topic” angle
On forums and social media, “what happened to Courtois” usually mixes three threads:
- Injuries and age
Fans talk about whether he can stay at his peak after multiple knee problems, and if Madrid should already sign his successor.
- Belgium drama
The story about him leaving the national team camp, the captaincy rumours, and then his emotional return and apologies is a constant debate among Belgian and neutral fans.
- Legacy vs future
Many still call him one of the best keepers of his generation, while others wonder if these last years – injuries, controversy, reduced availability – will shorten his time at the very top.
In short, nothing “mysterious” happened to Courtois – he’s still at Real Madrid and back with Belgium – but serious knee injuries, contract questions, and that national‑team controversy have made his last few seasons far more turbulent than you’d expect for a goalkeeper of his level.
Note: Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.