Courtois says being Real Madrid's goalkeeper opens doors for him
Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois said on Tuesday at the Web Summit in Lisbon that his image as the white goalkeeper gives him a clear advantage in the business world, where he already has investments in e‑sports, motor racing and football.
Investments and NXTPLAY Capital
For some time now, Courtois has been betting on something beyond football: business. With investments in e‑sports, motor racing and football, among other things, the Real Madrid goalkeeper valued his entrepreneurial foray.
At a press conference at the Web Summit in Lisbon, Courtois said that the image of being the Real Madrid goalkeeper helps him and gives him an advantage over other companies. He added that the media are quick to announce “Courtois has invested in this” more than if it were someone else. The goalkeeper spoke alongside his partner, businessman Gonzalo Vila, during the conference.
Courtois emphasized that the image of athletes makes it easier for companies to secure business. He also noted that, as an athlete, he possesses that advantage and it must be used correctly. Through his company NXTPLAY Capital, Courtois wants to create synergies between athletes and companies so that other athletes follow his example. He founded NXTPLAY Capital with Vila in 2025 in Madrid.
Football lessons for the business world
The company holds stakes in clubs such as Extremadura, the French Le Mans and the Belgian Genk, Courtois's former team. According to Courtois, venturing into the business world is good for the long‑term future once careers are over. He said that one must stay busy.
He considered that creating a start‑up is harder than winning the Champions League. He claimed that with the right team you can win the Champions League, but with start‑ups it is not as easy to achieve success.
He expressed great respect for start‑ups that become large companies and hopes to be part of some. He indicated that it is necessary to make decisions under pressure, a skill he transfers from football to business. Finally, he recalled that it has been very good to work at Real Madrid alongside José Mourinho and Bernardo Silva, whom he described as a great player and a great person.