La Liga goalkeeper names key Real Madrid star the ‘best in the world’ | OneFootball

Speaking at a press conference, RCD Espanyol goalkeeper Joan Garcia named Real Madrid star Thibaut Courtois the best in the world in his position.

Courtois has been in the news over the past couple of days after his brilliant performance in Los Blancos’ UEFA Champions League opener against VfB Stuttgart.

The Belgian shot-stopper made six saves on the night as Real Madrid secured a 3-1 victory, with the goalkeeper even being named the MVP.

Joan Garcia praises Courtois

Following that, former Real Madrid and Spain goalkeeper Santiago Canizares hailed Courtois as the best goalkeeper ever, calling him ‘the Maradona, the Messi, and the Cristiano of goalkeeping’.

Now, Espanyol’s first-choice goalkeeper Joan Garcia, who had been linked with Real Madrid in the summer, has joined in to praise the former Chelsea No. 1, ahead of their La Liga meeting on Sunday night.

“For me, yes, personally yes. That’s why he’s been at the level he is for so many years, even after his injury. He is a very good goalkeeper, but he is also a human being and we will try to score goals against him,” said Garcia.

Joan Garcia will face Real Madrid on Saturday. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)

Garcia talks Real Madrid attack, current form

With Real Madrid facing off Espanyol at the Bernabeu on Saturday, Garcia will come up against the star-studded attack of Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Jr., Rodrygo Goes, and Jude Bellingham.

Discussing the prospect of facing them, the Espanyol goalie said: “They are superstars. Even the ones who don’t play. But they are human and, knowing the quality they have in front of goal, I try to give my best and that it comes to nothing.”

Downplaying the chatter about Real Madrid’s misfiring form this season, he added: “I don’t know to what extent the buzz is there. They keep getting results. We think they’ll be at their best.”

Espanyol managed to keep a clean sheet and walk away with a point on their last visit to the Santiago Bernabeu, and Garcia hoped that they could achieve another positive result, saying:

“We’ll try, at the very least, to get this result. As far as we can see, we were comfortable. We’ll try to continue in the same vein and do what we want to do.”

Source: Mundo Deportivo