THIBAUT COURTOIS admitted he was left gobsmacked after racking up his 150th La Liga win for Real Madrid, a milestone he only discovered moments before their 4-1 demolition of Real Sociedad .
The giant Belgian shot stopper watched on as his teammates put Real Sociedad to the sword at the Bernabeu on Sunday night, a result that sent Los Blancos top of the pile .
Barcelona can draw level on points if they win their game in hand, but for now, it’s Alvaro Arbeloa’s men sitting pretty .
And for Courtois, it was a personal landmark.
” It’s wonderful, ” he beamed afterwards. ” I wasn’t expecting it. Someone from the staff told me yesterday that I could reach it today. ”
The former Chelsea man has been an absolute colossus since swapping Stamford Bridge for the Spanish capital back in 2018.
Injury’s plagued him at times, that cruciate ligament rupture last season was a sickener but when he’s fit, he’s arguably the best in the business .
He’s won it all at Madrid: two Champions Leagues, three Ligas, a couple of Copas, the lot.
But the 32 year old isn’t done yet. Not by a long shot.
” These are great numbers, and victories taste even sweeter, ” he added. ” We want to add many more to compete for La Liga this year and everything else to come .”
His save percentage this term is a ridiculous 78.3% only Barca’s Marc Andre ter Stegen betters that among keepers with 10+ appearances .
And he’s kept 10 clean sheets in 23 league outings.
The win over Real Sociedad was never in doubt after the break. Madrid clicked into gear and blew the visitors away.
Courtois didn’t have much to do, typical Madrid, really. Dominate possession, kill the game off, keeper watches from his deckchair .
But when called upon? Solid as ever.
Next up for Madrid is a trip to Girona, before that massive Champions League last 16 first leg against Atletico .
Courtois will be itching to add to that win tally. At this rate, 200 can’t be far away .
