When Thibaut Courtois was taken off at half-time in the Champions League clash with Club Brugge after conceding twice, many began speculating and thus arose the rumors of anxiety problems.
Some sources claimed that months of heavy criticism from the fans and pundits alike, the Belgian goalkeeper suffered an anxiety attack during half-time in that European game. He was eventually replaced by Alphonse Areola, who impressed, as Los Blancos went on to stage a comeback and earn a 2-2 draw.
Courtois would go on to miss Los Blancos’ next game, a 4-2 league win over Granada. The club revealed in a statement that the player was suffering from gastroenteritis and now the former Chelsea shot-stopper has addressed those anxiety problem claims, denying it and slamming the media for spreading lies.
"I know what it means to be an elite player. I'm very happy and I don't have anxiety problems,” Courtois said, as per the Daily Mirror
"Responsibility from the media is required to not publish lies and nonsense about things like that because, at the end of the day, there are people who really suffer from those problems.
"I think it's disrespectful to the player and to the people who are really suffering.
"I am happy and training hard and want to give the Real Madrid fans joy. The people at the Santiago Bernabeu are always a critical audience, we know that, and we will do everything so that they break out in applause."
The 27-year-old was present in Belgium’s 9-0 win over San Marino which made the European giants the first nation to qualify for Euro 2020. Thibaut kept a clean sheet as he was not tested. He will face tougher opposition once La Liga resumes and could face competition from Areola for the number one spot.
