The Belgian international revealed that he has cherished the Real Madrid captain since the first time he picked up goalkeeping gloves.
Ahead of the much-anticipated Madrid derby, Chelsea’s on-loan goalkeeper at the Vicente Calderon, Thibaut Courtois, admitted that he has a soft spot for Real Madrid shot stopper, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Iker-Casillas-c16815.
Courtois revealed that he has looked up to the Los Blancos custodian, who has been his childhood idol. He stated that he has a lot of respect for the Spanish international and praised him for his cat-like reflexes and extreme agility in the area.
However, he added that when he will come on the pitch, he sees him as a rival and would like to beat him with a better performance for his team.
"He was my idol as a child. I like him a lot, but for all the respect that I have, he is a rival and I will always want to beat him," Courtois said while talking to Madrid based Spanish sports daily, AS.
"I admire his speed under the posts. He has very good reflexes. He is a very good goalkeeper, in general."
The Belgian gloves man was given his marching orders in the match at the Bernabeu and received comforting words from the Spanish number 1.
Courtois stated that the actions of Casillas deeply touched him and he was even more impressed by his personality afterwards.
"Despite playing for Madrid and being one of the best in the world, he doesn't lose his good manners and that's something I like a lot about him. He is great on the field and also off it."
The former http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Vicente-c36001 Calderon until the end of the season, but has not shied away from voicing his desire to stay for an extended period in the Spanish capital.
Courtois remarked that he likes how he is appreciated by the Atleti faithful and cannot ask for anything more.
"I am very happy that the fans sing my name. I said that I want to stay at Atletico for another year, but I have to wait.
The Madrid derby kicks off at 22 00 hours CET on April 11.
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