Belgium star Thibaut Courtois has long been able to count himself among the best goalkeepers in the world. Winning league titles with Genk, Atletico Madrid, and Chelsea before joining Real Madrid, the 33-year-old has since gone on to prove himself as one of the club's modern greats.
In Spain, Courtois has won all sorts with Los Blancos, lifting the Champions League twice, La Liga three times, as well as the Copa del Rey and Club World Cup. He's been fundamental to that success too, most notably putting in a Man of the Match display against Liverpool in the 2021/22 Champions League final.
Still one of the best shot-stoppers on the planet, it's interesting to learn which fellow goalkeepers have impressed Courtois in recent times. With that in mind, the Belgian was recently asked to list his favourites.
Courtois Names Alisson Becker Among Best Goalkeepers
alisson becker
Speaking to journalist Juanma Castano on El Partidazo de COPE, Courtois was first asked if he thinks he is currently the best goalkeeper in the world. Many would rank him as the number one, but he humbly replied:
"I'm certainly one of the best, but it depends on each person's taste, and everyone is free to have their opinion. Ultimately, what I have to do is help my club, and what people think..."
Courtois was then asked to list his three. He excluded himself to instead name Jan Oblak, Alisson Becker, and David Raya:
"I'm out of the way. Currently... Oblak is playing at a very high level this year. I really like Alisson, even though he's injured. And I also really like David Raya."
Many would likely agree with the names on this list – although Manchester City star Gianluigi Donnarumma can perhaps count himself unlucky not to make the cut. The Italian certainly belongs in that particular bracket of elite goalkeepers, especially having won the Champions League last season.
That said, Jan Oblak has been one of the best on the planet for some time now and remains a reliable figure between the sticks for Atletico Madrid, having now spent over a decade with the Spanish club. Some would say Alisson is the only true contender with Courtois when it comes to deciding who is the very best. The Liverpool ace helped deliver his team's second Premier League title last season, but has been sidelined with an injury in recent weeks.
Finally, David Raya is a slightly fresher name on this list. Now into his third season with Arsenal, though, the former Brentford man continues ot shine, having conceded just five Premier League goals so far this season, while also keeping four clean sheets from four in the Champions League.
Courtois Opens Up on Raya vs Simon for Spain No.1 Shirt
david raya
Raya's quality is a big topic in Spain, as he has often had to play second fiddle to Unai Simon, who was the first-choice at Euro 2024 and continues to keep hold of the number one shirt for the national team. Courtois was asked if this means he would then pick Raya over Simon for La Roja, but he diplomatically replied:
"That's not my decision," he then added, "But Arsenal are having a great season, conceding very few goals, and Raya already had a great season last year. Although Unai is also a great goalkeeper, and he's performing tremendously well with the national team and deserves to keep playing. That's football and competition.
"I think Luis de la Fuente has made up his mind, and Raya will have to wait for his chance. But it's healthy competition, especially in goal; because if you concede two goals, the manager can't hesitate, and it's always harder to replace one of them."
It remains to be seen if Luis de la Fuente will change his mind before the 2026 World Cup.