Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has talked up FC Barcelona rival Raphinha just a few weeks out from Spain’s behemoths meeting in El Clasico.
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Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has talked up FC Barcelona rival Raphinha just a few weeks out from Spain’s behemoths meeting in El Clasico.
With 14 goals and three assists in 2026/2027 thus far, which puts Barca five points clear at the top of the table and six in front of bitter rivals Madrid, the Brazilian is flying in his new role as a central number 9.
“They are doing very well, they are a team that scores goals very easily,” Courtois said on Onda Cero.
Yet the player that stands out for him most is the Blaugrana captain and number 11.
“I like Raphinha a lot, he is a key player at Barca. When he hasn’t been there I think they suffered a lot, and when he’s there they’re playing well,” the Belgian explained.
“He doesn’t always get the recognition he deserves, but he’s a key player in that team and he scores a lot of goals because he’s a great player.”
“We will have to stop him in a month’s time,” Courtois noted, amid a confession that “there are games that can be improved” as per Los Blancos’ erratic start under Jose Mourinho.
Alongside teammate Pedri, Raphinha has been snubbed for the Ballon d’Or after finishing number five in the rankings last year off the back of his phenomenal 2024/2025 campaign.
Lamine Yamal is one of the favourites for the sport’s biggest individual accolade awarded by a France Football panel, but naturally Courtois favours Kylian Mbappe.
“This year it’s quite open. He must be the best player this year, even if he hasn’t won anything. I would give it to Mbappe, his dribbling speed is impressive and also his goals,” Courtois concluded.
Real Madrid must beat FC Barcelona to stay in title race
Trailing by six points, Real Madrid can’t afford to let that become nine by losing the Clasico at the Spotify Camp Nou to FC Barcelona.
They let the La Liga title slip away from them at the same ground back in May, where a Marcus Rashford free kick stunned Courtois before now-PSG striker Ferran Torres made it 2-0.
Both Courtois and Mbappe will have to be in better form, and halt a high-scoring unit that seems to net five goals almost every match thus far this term.
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