Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has clarified the relationship between him and Manchester City’s midfielder Kevin De Bruyne months after their alleged disagreement.
Courtois and De Bruyne have both played at the highest level for club and country with both players an important piece in their country’s famed golden generation.
However, a rift emerged more than a decade ago when De Bruyne’s then-girlfriend, Caroline Lijnen, was allegedly involved in an affair with Courtois when they were both at Chelsea.
Though there are claims both players are not in talking terms, time seems to have healed wounds as Courtois praised De Bruyne on the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast, presented by Qatar Airways. The goalkeeper said (via the Mirror): “Yeah, I think Kevin is a guy with a lot of talent, but also very hardworking.
Kevin De Bruyne and Thibaut Courtois (Photo by Liu Lu/VCG via Getty Images)
“Also, he had like growing up in the youth, he was not always the best player or so that you thought at 12 he was going to be this kind of player, one of the best midfielders in the world. And yeah, he grew out of it. And suddenly you could see the talent he had. And I think he’s a hard worker. He’s someone that also wants to win and is a bad loser on the field.
“But that kind of people you need. And that you can see in Manchester City that Kevin is important for this team. And when Kevin is good, you will see that like now [Erling] Haaland would score more. Or, you know, that’s just how Kevin plays.
“I think Kevin maybe will not really lead a team in a way like maybe Eden [Hazard] would do because Eden on his own can make maybe more the difference. But I think if Kevin plays good, all the team plays better. And because a team plays better, suddenly you will win your games.
And I think Eden had more of this individual class that you would give him the ball, he would dribble for it and score a goal.”
Lijnen has previously claimed that the midfielder cheated on her during their own relationship. In an interview with Story Magazine, she alleged: “Kevin cheated on me. I did not say anything for months because I couldn’t say anything, as Kevin’s parents said they would take legal action if I gave my story.
Both Courtois and De Bruyne have long since moved on from their time at Chelsea. While Courtois has become a sensational goalkeeper at Real Madrid, De Bruyne is making wave at Manchester City.
