Thibaut Courtois has heaped reward on new team-mate Trent Alexander-Arnold, describing the Actual Madrid right-back as a “nightmare” to take care of and hailing his crossing as “unbelievable.”
The England worldwide, who just lately made the change from Liverpool, registered his first help for Madrid with an beautiful cross for Gonzalo Garcia of their 1-0 victory over Juventus on the Membership World Cup.
Consequently, his new taking part in companions, significantly Courtois, have heaped reward on the defender.
“He might have supplied a number of assists already within the event,” Courtois mentioned of Alexander-Arnold. “In coaching, his placing is unbelievable, his free-kicks and corners are on one other degree. I don’t assume I’ve seen anybody along with his high quality in placing and crossing.”
Alexander-Arnold joined Madrid shortly earlier than the beginning of the event in the USA and has featured in all of their matches thus far, impressing in each his pure right-back function and in midfield.
Courtois admitted he’s nonetheless adjusting to taking part in behind such an adventurous full-back.
Courtois is loving being on the identical facet as Trent Alexander-Arnold ❤️🤝 pic.twitter.com/O2ABCMhXOn
— ESPN UK (@ESPNUK) July 2, 2025
“As a goalkeeper, he’s a nightmare at occasions,” Courtois added. “He retains you in your toes and forces you to work laborious to make stops. He makes us enhance.”
Actual Madrid are set to face Borussia Dortmund within the Membership World Cup quarter-finals this Sunday in New Jersey. To date, they’ve managed to keep away from Brazilian sides Palmeiras and Fluminense, each of whom stay within the competitors.
When requested in regards to the high quality of South American groups, Courtois dismissed any doubts over their competitiveness.
“We who know soccer by no means doubted their degree. In the event you imagine 4 tweeters who assume the extent is sh*t, you’re unsuitable,” he mentioned.
“We, who perceive soccer, know that Brazilian groups are good… and never that European groups are one of the best. I imagine that’s how it’s, the extent is excessive and that’s proven in each match. We’re having numerous good and attention-grabbing matches to observe, and now we have to maintain working in order that, God keen, we are able to attain the ultimate.”
Madrid have additionally benefited from the emergence of 21-year-old Garcia, who has stepped up within the absence of Kylian Mbappe, just lately sidelined resulting from gastroenteritis.
“I didn’t count on him to attain three objectives in 4 video games however I knew that he would work effectively,” mentioned head coach Xabi Alonso. “I’ve confidence in him and he’s incomes that belief.”
