Courtois says controversial ‘right side of history’ comment was not aimed at Atletico de Madrid

Thibaut Courtois has sought to end a long-running dispute with Atletico de Madrid supporters, insisting that his controversial “right side of history” comment in 2022 was aimed at Liverpool and not his former club.

The Belgium goalkeeper’s relationship with Atletico fans deteriorated after he joined city rivals Real Madrid. Courtois had spent a season on loan at Atletico de Madrid from Chelsea, winning La Liga and helping the club reach the 2014 UEFA Champions League final.

But he was repeatedly jeered by Atletico supporters whenever he returned to the Wanda Metropolitano. The hostility reached its height in May 2022, on the eve of Real Madrid’s UEFA Champions League final against Liverpool.

Speaking before that match, Courtois said: “They played a final against Real Madrid in 2018. When you face Real Madrid, you know they win finals, and now I am on the winning side of history.”

The remark was interpreted by Atletico fans as a reference to the club’s defeat by Real Madrid in the 2014 final in Lisbon, a match in which Courtois played for Atletico.

Four and a half years later, Courtois has given his full account of the incident in an interview with Spanish radio station Onda Cero, while also expressing his appreciation for the club where he developed as a goalkeeper.

“If I could, I would not delete that phrase, because it was not about them – Atletico de Madrid – but about Liverpool,” he said.

“I have always spoken about Atletico with a great deal of respect, and I won trophies there.”

Courtois also explained that his departure from Atletico was linked to his status as a Chelsea loanee, rather than a decision to turn his back on the Spanish club.

“That period made me fall in love with Spain, and I had two children there,” he added. “I will never say a bad word about it. I left because I was on loan from Chelsea.”

The 2022 comment revived tensions between Courtois and the Atletico support, despite the goalkeeper’s previous achievements with the club. His latest remarks represented his clearest expression of gratitude towards Atletico de Madrid since the dispute began.

“I am very proud of my time at Atletico,” Courtois said. “It made me the goalkeeper I am today.”

He also described the Madrid derby as a positive part of his experience in the city, saying: “Derbies are always beautiful.”