Thibaut Courtois can think of only two footballers who have hit their best level every year.
“A player who’s at his best every season, I only know of two, Cristiano and Messi, who I’ve seen at their best almost every year, and even they’ve been criticised at times, two of the greatest in history,” the Real Madrid goalkeeper told reporters after Wednesday night’s win at the Bernabéu.
That was his way of answering a question about Vinicius Junior.
The Brazilian has one goal in all competitions this season, scored against Real Sociedad in LaLiga, and is nine matches into a drought that spans six league games and three Champions League appearances. He has added three LaLiga assists this term.
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The slump jars with his recent CV. Tribal Football notes Vinicius scored at least 20 goals for Real Madrid in each of the previous five seasons.
“I think he’s still looking to find his best form. I’m sure he’ll get there with the support of the team and the fans,” the Belgian said.
On the Leipzig match itself, where Vinicius started and was taken off in the closing stages, Courtois offered an explicit defence.
“He played against Leipzig. He created chances, he was dangerous, and in the end, things don’t always go your way.”
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He also pointed to the workload Vinicius has carried for years.
“Vinicius has played almost every game for nine years, that’s why we have to help him find his best form.”
Sent off for pulling an opponent’s hair
Vinicius will not play his way out of this run on the pitch anytime soon. He was shown a straight red card against Villarreal in LaLiga for pulling an opponent’s hair, and the Spanish federation handed him a four-match ban.
That ban covers Sevilla, Barcelona, Racing Santander and Valencia, according to World Soccer Talk. The second of those is El Clasico at Camp Nou on Sunday, which Real Madrid will play without him.
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‘El Clasico is always 50-50’
Courtois was also asked about the trip to Barcelona. He saw no obvious favourite despite the hosts’ strong LaLiga form, as reported by AfricaSoccer.
“For me, El Clasico is always 50-50, even when one team is in better form than the other.”
Available again on 21 November
Vinicius is eligible to return when Real Madrid host Celta on 21 November, per World Soccer Talk’s reporting of the sanction.
Sources: – [Real Madrid 4-1 RB Leipzig (Oct 21, 2026) – ESPN](https://www.espn.com/soccer/report/_/gameId/401915313) – [Appeal upholds four-match ban for Vinicius after Villarreal red card – OneFootball](https://onefootball.com/en/news/appeal-upholds-four-match-ban-for-vinicius-after-villarreal-red-card-43621981) – [Vinícius Júnior stats – Fotmob](https://www.fotmob.com/players/846033/vinicius-junior)
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