Courtois says Barcelona’s Raphinha deserves more recognition

Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has praised Barcelona forward Raphinha, saying the Brazil international does not always receive the credit he deserves despite making a powerful start to the season.

Raphinha has scored 14 goals in eight matches, including hat-tricks in two consecutive games. Courtois believes his contribution to Barcelona goes beyond his statistics and has described him as a vital part of the team.

“I like him a lot,” Courtois said on the Radio Estadio Noche programme. “He is a key player for Barcelona. He does not always receive the recognition he deserves, but he is essential to the team.”

Raphinha was decisive in the most recent meeting between the two sides, scoring twice as Barcelona beat Real Madrid 3-2 in the Spanish Super Cup.

Despite Real Madrid’s recent results against their rivals, Courtois said the club remains determined to continue winning major trophies. He pointed to the success enjoyed by the club over the past 15 years and said that expectation remains central to life at Real Madrid.

“We have won a lot of cups over the past 15 years,” Courtois said. “We have a great desire to win that number of cups again. That is what Real Madrid demands of you, and it is what we see every day when we come here.”

Courtois: Mourinho is calmer than during Chelsea spell

Courtois also discussed Jose Mourinho, who previously managed him in England, and said the experienced Portuguese coach has become calmer compared with his time at Chelsea.

The Belgian goalkeeper believes Mourinho remains just as effective, although the game and the manager’s approach have evolved since their time together.

“He is as good as he was at Chelsea,” Courtois said. “Perhaps he has different ideas, because football has developed since then. I think he is calmer in his daily life and in front of the press.

“But he still applies pressure on the pitch and in meetings, and he still says what he thinks directly to people.”