Courtois Responds to Yamal, Clasico Sparks and a Locker Room Flame

Courtois on Yamal’s remarks and the Clasico atmosphere

Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois addressed the chatter sparked by Lamine Yamal ahead of the latest El Clasico, a match Real Madrid won 2-1 against Barcelona. He praised Yamal as a standout talent who could help shape Barcelona’s era, while noting that his comments amplified the game. The moment highlighted the heated dynamics between Spain’s two giants and the broader pressures surrounding the season.

During his appearance on El Partidazo de Cope, Courtois said: “Yamal is a big player and will be part of a new Barca era, but his statements lit the match a little more. It’s natural for the press to pick up on those things and magnify them.”

Yamal had suggested that Madrid “steals and then cries,” alluding to refereeing bias in favor of the Merengues. The Belgian keeper acknowledged the perception, but emphasized that such lines belong to a footballing circus and belong before the whistle—not after the final whistle.

Courtois also opened up on the mental state in Real Madrid’s locker room as Clasico week unfolded, noting that a string of four losses to Barcelona last season had created a sense of urgency to answer back with authority and restore the aura of Madrid’s supremacy.

“When the pressure is high and adrenaline is at its peak, you might say things you don’t mean,” he said. “That’s part of the Clasico. After last year’s defeats, we needed that spark—a fire to reclaim our sense of challenge. We felt at moments that they didn’t respect us when they won, so we had to go out and win with force.”

Despite the usual sharpness that accompanies such occasions, Courtois sought to defuse the tension after the final whistle, insisting that the rivalry stays on the pitch. He added that if he meets Lamine in any setting—perhaps the national team—he would greet him warmly and there are no personal grudges between them.

He closed by underscoring that the Clasico naturally fuels winners: “The Clasico gives you motivation by its very nature, but when you hear something about you or your team, it sharpens your desire to win. A player born to win isn’t bothered by these things; they burn brighter.”

Injury updates

Real Madrid announced a fresh setback for Courtois after the match against Rayo Vallecano ended goalless. The club confirmed a right adductor injury, with early estimates placing the layoff at about 10 to 12 days. Despite the worry, Madrid also reported positive news regarding Federico Valverde, noting that his hamstring issue is not as alarming and that both players are expected to recover in time for a demanding schedule.

Courtois traveled to the Belgium camp for assessment before returning to Madrid to continue rehabilitation ahead of the upcoming La Liga match against Elche on Sunday, November 23. The league’s medical team confirmed that the goal is to have him back ready for action as soon as possible.

Valverde’s situation is different but equally important: the Uruguayan midfielder suffered a right hamstring strain that could keep him out for roughly 10 days. He left the Vallecas clash with discomfort in the thigh muscle. The club noted that the issue is not a major one, but it does complicate the midfield rotation as Madrid navigates a congested period with matches against Elche, Olympiacos, and Girona in quick succession, followed by a trip to Athletic Bilbao. There was even mention of a Grand Stade in Greece and a clash in Spain’s north that would test the squad’s depth.

Injury details and next steps

The club and press emphasized that while both players will miss some minutes, their injuries are not considered long-term; the focus will be on controlled recovery and strategic rotation as the team builds toward the next fixtures.

With the Clasico behind them, Madrid looks ahead to a demanding stretch that will require collective resilience and a few timely sparks of brilliance from the squad. And yes, there may be more dramatic headlines to come, but the locker room’s feel remains a mix of determination and a dash of veteran humor—because even champions need to keep their sense of humor when the scoreboard has its own opinions.

+ sniping punchline 1: “If football were a sniper’s range, Madrid would file a 1-0 as a precision hit—always aiming for the joke in the back of the net.”

+ sniping punchline 2: “Madrid’s medical staff must own a time machine; every injury pause is just a setup for a dramatic return—movies don’t cast this well without a sequel.”