Courtois rules out a return to Genk, wants to stay at Real Madrid

Thibaut Courtois has confirmed that he wants to finish his playing career at Real Madrid and rules out a return to KRC Genk as goalkeeper, despite his Belgian roots. He clearly answered “No” when he was asked whether he would later want to play for a Belgian club.

During a visit by content creators Neal and Senne to a Real Madrid training session, which later had the footage shared on Google, Courtois was asked whether, after his period at the Spanish top club, he would still want to play for a Belgian team.

He replied: “We have done and achieved nice things there, and I prefer to keep it that way. I want to end my career at Real Madrid.”

Courtois went through the youth academy of KRC Genk, broke into the first team, moved to Chelsea in 2011 and was then loaned out for years to Atlético Madrid; since 2018 he has been under contract with Real Madrid.

Investment in KRC Genk

In June 2026 the Belgian Courtois invested in KRC Genk via his sports investment platform NXTPLAY Capital, acquired a minority stake and ensured that his company is represented on the board of directors, making a future role at the club possible.

“Now that I own shares in Genk, I might return in a different role. The goalkeepers who are playing and being trained there, that is the most important thing,” Courtois said.