Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois says Kylian Mbappe should win the Ballon d’Or and has accused Manchester City of “spoiling the competition” in comments about the club’s conviction.
Courtois has remained at Real Madrid’s Valdebebas training ground during the current international break after reaching an agreement to take a break from Belgium duty following the World Cup and focus on his club.
Speaking to Onda Cero, the Belgium international also discussed refereeing decisions, the Negreira case involving Barcelona and his family.
Courtois rejected suggestions that referees were deliberately influencing matches, but said he believed Real Madrid were often treated unfairly.
“I don’t think there is any manipulation or anything like that. I’m not that suspicious,” he said.
“There are mistakes that are given in other stadiums, but they don’t give them in our favour. On the contrary, they give them against us.”
He also questioned the consistency of explanations given to players by officials.
“There are things that make you say, ‘I don’t understand.’ They come to explain things to us, and then the following week they do the exact opposite,” Courtois added.
On the Negreira case, in which Barcelona is accused, Courtois said: “Everyone is waiting for the verdict in the Negreira case. It is a serious case.”
Mbappe the goalkeeper’s Ballon d’Or choice
Courtois believes the award should recognise the outstanding individual player rather than simply go to someone who has collected the most trophies.
“It has to go to Mbappe. Everyone is amazed by his speed and his goals,” he said.
“The Ballon d’Or should be given to the best player, not to the player who has won more titles than the others. Following that logic, Carvajal should have won it two years ago.”
Courtois also praised Raphinha, one of the players he expects to pose a threat in El Clasico.
“I really admire Raphinha. He is a very important player for his team and scores a lot of goals. Perhaps he does not receive the recognition he deserves,” he said.
“We have to stop him during El Clasico.”
Asked about Manchester City’s conviction, Courtois said the club’s actions had affected the balance of competition.
“What Manchester City did in the end was spoil the competition,” he said. “Perhaps they would not have been able to sign some of the players they had…”
Courtois also spoke about his son, who plays as a striker in Real Madrid’s youth set-up and has a playing style he believes resembles Mbappe.
“My son plays in Real Madrid’s youth team and he is a striker. He is very similar to Mbappe,” Courtois said.
“He also likes playing as a goalkeeper, but I would rather he did not do that to avoid comparisons.”
The Real Madrid goalkeeper criticised parents who place excessive pressure on young players.
“There are parents who believe their son is the new Cristiano and put a great deal of pressure on him,” he said.
“Some children end up leaving football at the age of 16. Boys should enjoy their time on the pitch.”
