Real Madrid Goalkeeper Criticizes Former Club and Diego Simeone Following Penalty Shootout Win
Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois didn’t hold back in his criticism of former club Atletico Madrid and their manager Diego Simeone after a tense Champions League last-16 clash on Wednesday. The Belgian shot-stopper accused Atletico of playing the victim and “crying” over decisions, following a controversial penalty shootout that saw Real Madrid advance to the quarterfinals with a 4-2 victory after a 2-2 aggregate draw.
The match was not without its drama. Julian Alvarez thought he had leveled the shootout at 2-2 with a well-taken penalty, only for VAR to rule it out due to a double touch as the striker slipped during his run-up. The decision proved pivotal, with Real Madrid eventually sealing the win through Antonio Rudiger’s decisive spot-kick.
Speaking to reporters after the match, Courtois expressed his frustration with Atletico’s reaction to the incident. “UEFA sees it clearly,” he said. “I’m fed up with this constant victimhood and crying about things like this. The referee doesn’t benefit any team, neither in Spain nor in Europe. I think they saw it clearly, and that’s why they called it that way. They’re human beings and can make mistakes, but with the technology of the VAR room, they saw it clearly.”
Courtois, who spent three successful years at Atletico before joining Real Madrid in 2018, also suggested that Simeone’s side only had themselves to blame for not capitalizing on their early lead. Conor Gallagher’s goal in the first minute had put Atletico ahead, but they failed to build on their advantage. “If you’re winning 1-0 from the first minute and then don’t go for the second, that’s probably where the mistake of their game lies,” Courtois remarked.
The Belgian’s comments are unlikely to endear him to Atletico fans, who have long viewed him as a traitor for joining their arch-rivals. Last September, during a La Liga derby at the Metropolitano, Courtois was targeted with objects thrown from the crowd, including lighters, which temporarily halted play. His commemorative plaque outside the stadium has also been repeatedly defaced and removed by disgruntled supporters.
Meanwhile, Diego Simeone’s frustration was evident in his post-match press conference, where he lost his cool with journalists and demanded a show of hands from those who believed Alvarez had double-touched the ball. The Argentine manager’s fiery demeanor contrasted sharply with Carlo Ancelotti’s calm assessment of the incident, as the Real Madrid boss backed the referee’s decision.
With the win, Real Madrid now set their sights on a quarterfinal showdown with Arsenal, as they continue their pursuit of a record 15th Champions League title. For Atletico, the defeat marks another painful exit at the hands of their city rivals, leaving Simeone and his team to reflect on what might have been.
Courtois, however, has made it clear that he has no sympathy for his former club, as the rivalry between Madrid’s two giants continues to simmer both on and off the pitch.
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