Courtois Thibaut
Thibaut Nicolas Marc Courtois is a Belgian professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for the Belgium national team. Courtois graduated through the youth system of Genk, and aged 18, he played a key role in the team’s Belgian Pro League victory. In July 2011 he joined Chelsea for a reported £8 million, and was immediately loaned to Atlético Madrid. In three seasons there, he won the Europa League in 2012, the Copa del Rey in 2013 and the La Liga title in 2014. He also won the Ricardo Zamora Trophy for best goalkeeper in La Liga, for his performances in his two latter seasons. Courtois returned to Chelsea in July 2014, and in his first season he helped them win the League Cup and the Premier League title. Courtois made his senior international debut in October 2011, becoming the youngest goalkeeper to represent Belgium. He has since earned over 40 caps and appeared at the 2014 FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 2016.
Did you Know?
Courtois was first called up to the Belgium squad in October 2011 and made his debut the following month in a friendly 0–0 draw against France at the Stade de France, making him the youngest goalkeeper to play for the Belgian national team. Inspired by Courtois’ pose from a particular save in January 2013, a Colombian fan created a new widespread social media meme called Thibauting to pay homage to the Belgian goalkeeper. In November 2013, the word was included in a shortlist composed by Van Dale (the leading Dutch dictionary) to be polled to determine the best new sports/amusement word of the year in Belgium, and ended second. The term is based on and pronounced the same way as “Tebowing”, and is also similar the worldwide “planking” meme which was popular in 2011.
