Courtois on his return: "I'm happy to feel like a goalkeeper again"
"I will always be grateful to the fans for all the warmth they have shown me," explained the goalkeeper after his comeback 268 days after his injury.
Thibaut Courtois reappeared for Real Madrid as Cádiz visited the Santiago Bernabéu almost nine months after suffering a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee. The Belgian goalkeeper suffered the injury on 10 August during training at Real Madrid Sport City. Seven days later, he underwent surgery and, from then on, began a recovery process that was interrupted on 19 March, when he suffered a rupture of the internal meniscus in his right knee.
After overcoming both injuries, and after several weeks training with his teammates, Ancelotti called him up for the LaLiga matchday 34 clash against the Andalusian side. Courtois started the match and received a standing ovation from the Bernabéu, who repeated the applause in the 50th minute when the goalkeeper saved an attempt from Cádiz in a one-on-one against Chris Ramos.
After the match, the goalkeeper was interviewed by Realmadrid TV: "It was a very nice day to be back. I dreamed of being able to return home, for my children and my family. It was a nice win, perhaps starting with that save at 0-0. I go for the ball, we play, and from there it's 1-0. I'm happy to have been able to take part and feel like a goalkeeper again after such a long time."
Back with a clean sheet
"I'm happy for the win and the clean sheet. It's a victory that I've been fighting for all season. To feel like a Real Madrid player again is very nice and even more so with all the warmth that the fans showed me today. I will always be grateful. We're very close to winning LaLiga and we've got a great game coming up on Wednesday, where we need our fans. It was a nice moment on the pitch with the fans, let's hope we can give them some more joy."
How did you feel?
"Very good, in the end it's all about getting used to it again. The plan was to play a friendly in March, but unfortunately I tore my meniscus and now I've only been training with the team, always in tight spaces. I hadn't played an 11 vs 11 match in 9 months. But I felt good, I read the space well. I haven't forgotten. Passing is where you have to get used to it a bit more."
268 days since the injury
"I had imagined this day many times. At first I thought the season was lost. Then I put Cádiz as a possible return date, although I felt very well before and it could have been brought forward. With the misfortune I didn't know if I would be able to play this season, but I'm here in case I'm needed to help the team."
The support of the team
"We're a group of friends. A hug or a word always helps a lot, because often you're training alone. Militão and I have spent many days alone. Even though you're in the same gym you are in your fight, which is different. Seeing him on the pitch and playing with him also means a lot to me. A big thank you to Davide, my physio, and Giuseppe, who have done a great job for me to be here today, maybe better than ever. I will thank them forever."
Going for Bayern
"It's a very important game. We need the fans. I hope everyone comes out in white again and that we can have one of those incredible nights at the Bernabéu and win."