Thibaut Courtois Breaks His Silence After the Final, Pointing to the Real Culprit Behind the Fatal Mistake

The Clasico in the Copa del Rey final will long be etched in the memories of Madrid fans. Not only because of the painful 3-2 loss to FC Barcelona but also because of the pivotal moment near the end of the match when Thibaut Courtois was caught off guard. Since then, the time has come for explanations.

As soon as the final whistle blew in Seville, Thibaut Courtois did not shy away from taking responsibility. Alongside Luis Llopis, his goalkeeping coach, the Belgian goalkeeper took the time to calmly analyze his failed clearance, the one that allowed Ferran Torres to equalize for Barcelona.

Completely devastated after the match, Courtois acknowledged that his decision was risky. However, he also revealed a previously untold reality: he had intervened urgently to compensate for Antonio Rüdiger’s physical limitations, with the German defender struggling with a persistent knee injury.

Seeing Rüdiger unable to keep up with Ferran Torres during the long pass from Yamal, Courtois attempted to come out and cut the action short. His intention? To cover for an injured teammate and prevent a dangerous one-on-one situation. Unfortunately, his timing was off. This premature exit created a fatal gap, which Barcelona seized without hesitation.

It was a brave attempt, but it also highlighted a troubling reality: Real Madrid is currently paying the price for its defensive weaknesses, made worse by the absence of Éder Militão and the physical struggles of David Alaba.

For months, Antonio Rüdiger has been gritting his teeth for his team. The German defender has been playing through constant discomfort in his knee, to the point where the possibility of surgery is becoming more serious. With no credible alternative on the bench, Rüdiger continued to play, ultimately finding himself exposed at this crucial moment in the final. This dramatic situation partially explains Courtois’ misjudgment, as he was forced to take unusual risks to protect his defensive line.

Despite the obvious pain, Courtois offered an encouraging message to his supporters after the match: “I am very proud of my teammates and the way we fought for a victory that never came. Sad and responsible, but convinced that we will bounce back. We need to digest this defeat and focus on the upcoming matches.”

A dignified attitude, consistent with his image as a quiet and impeccable leader. For Real Madrid, the defeat in the Copa del Rey final is a hard blow, but it is not the end of the road. With five more matches remaining in La Liga, the Merengues still have the chance to salvage their season on a positive note.

As for Courtois, despite this mistake, he remains one of the few certainties in this team in transition. Football is cruel, and the Seville final proved it once again. But with pillars like him, Real Madrid knows they can aim high for next season.