THIBAUT COURTOIS’ dad has claimed the Real Madrid goalkeeper is being victimised by the press.
The 26-year-old was heavily criticised by fans after he shipped in four goals against Ajax at the Bernabeu last week as Los Blancos crashed out of the Champions League.
He was widely mocked after Danish midfielder Lasse Schone’s free-kick sailed over his head and nestled in the top corner to cap a horrific display against the Dutch side.
Courtois has endured a frustrating season since joining from Chelsea last summer, where he has kept just ten clean sheets in 32 games in all competitions.
His form has led to him be the butt of jokes, and Thierry Courtois has revealed he cannot stand by and watch his son be slaughtered by the media.
He told Het Laatste Nieuws: “I feel that everyone is targeting Thibaut. The Spanish press, and also the Flemish. As a father, I can not ignore that.
AFP OR LICENSORS
“A goalkeeper is always the first target, it is part of the job. For right or wrong, I let you judge that.
“But after the match against Ajax, he was targeted because of the fourth goal after he’d played well. This single mistake has taken on huge proportions.
“There are also personal things that come out in the press. I see the intentions of journalists to my son. I’m struggling with that, but luckily Thibaut is above that.
“He knows what to do and is aware of his qualities and he will not doubt himself.”
Courtois was reported to the police last week after he allegedly threw an object at a photographer’s car.
The former Atletico Madrid loanee is believed to have caused damage to the cameraman’s motor, but the member of the paparazzi decided against pressing charges.
