Thibaut Courtois has heaped reward on new team-mate Trent Alexander-Arnold, describing the Actual Madrid right-back as a “nightmare” to cope with and hailing his crossing as “unbelievable.”
The England worldwide, who 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.
In consequence, his new taking part in companions, significantly Courtois, have heaped reward on the defender.
“He may have supplied a number of assists already within the event,” Courtois stated of Alexander-Arnold. “In coaching, his putting is unbelievable, his free-kicks and corners are on one other degree. I don’t assume I’ve seen anybody together with his high quality in putting and crossing.”
Alexander-Arnold joined Madrid shortly earlier than the beginning of the event in the US and has featured in all of their matches up to now, 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 instances,” 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. Up to now, 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 improper,” he stated.
“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 a whole lot of good and attention-grabbing matches to look at, and we’ve got 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, lately sidelined because of gastroenteritis.
“I didn’t count on him to attain three objectives in 4 video games however I knew that he would work nicely,” stated head coach Xabi Alonso. “I’ve confidence in him and he’s incomes that belief.”
