Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has etched his name into Belgian football history this week, becoming the nation’s all-time leader in World Cup appearances.
Courtois Makes World Cup History with Record 18th Appearance for Belgium
The 33-year-old shot-stopper achieved this milestone during Belgium’s dominant 5-1 victory over New Zealand in their final World Cup group stage fixture, which took place in the early hours of Saturday.
Courtois now stands alone with 18 World Cup appearances for the Red Devils, surpassing the previous record held by Jan Vertonghen.
This remarkable achievement cements his status as one of Belgium’s greatest ever international players.
While Belgium’s attacking stars rightly grabbed the headlines following their emphatic victory, it was Courtois who quietly made history at the other end of the pitch.
The former Chelsea man has been a constant presence for his country on the biggest stage, featuring in every World Cup campaign since 2014.
The match itself proved to be a comfortable affair for Rudi Garcia’s side, with Leandro Trossard, Kevin De Bruyne, and Romelu Lukaku all finding the back of the net in the comprehensive 5-1 triumph.
Courtois’s journey to this record began a decade ago when he made his World Cup debut against Algeria in Brazil 2014.
Since then, he has been Belgium’s undisputed number one, helping guide the Red Devils to their historic third-place finish in 2018.
The Real Madrid star’s consistency at international level has been remarkable, with his 18 appearances spanning four different World Cup tournaments.
His commanding presence between the posts has provided Belgium with a solid foundation in their quest for global glory.
With Belgium’s campaign still ongoing, Courtois has the opportunity to extend his record even further. The Red Devils will be hoping their star goalkeeper can continue his outstanding form as they push for World Cup success.
