Real Madrid Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois Reveals His Post-Soccer Aspirations

Real Madrid's star goalkeeper, Thibaut Courtois, has opened up about his ambitious plans for life after his illustrious football career, revealing a deep passion for motorsport and a desire to make a significant impact in the racing world. While he hopes to retire at Real Madrid, the Belgian shot-stopper is already laying the groundwork for a future in a different kind of fast lane.

Courtois, 33, recently attended the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa, underscoring his lifelong fascination with Formula 1 and other racing categories. I have shared with Sporza that his interest extends beyond just being a spectator; he's already a team owner.

"I even follow MotoGP, but it's mainly motor racing and Formula 1 that I'm passionate about," Courtois stated. "A few years ago, I was asked to sponsor a Formula E team in Spain. I then started my own team, and my passion has only grown since then."

His team, TC Racing, is currently competing in Formula 4 in Spain, with plans to move up to Eurocup-3 next year. Courtois harbors a grand vision for his team, setting his sights on reaching as high as Formula 2. While acknowledging that Formula 1 would be a significant challenge requiring substantial partnerships, he remains optimistic about the progression to Formula 3 and potentially F2.

Beyond team ownership, Courtois also dreams of getting behind the wheel himself. He expressed a desire to compete in GT3 races once his football career concludes. However, he is realistic about his abilities and emphasized that he would only pursue this if he could be competitive. "When I stop playing football, that would be a dream come true, like taking part in a GT3 race," he said. "But I don't know my abilities, and if I participate in something, I don't want to be three seconds behind the rest. I want to know what I'm capable of first."

One humorous obstacle to his racing ambitions in single-seater cars is his towering height. Courtois noted, "I don't fit into a formula car. My head sticks out above the halo in an F4 car, so that wouldn't be very safe." This makes GT3 racing a more practical goal for him as a driver.

While motorsport is clearly his post-football passion, Courtois also recently confirmed his strong desire to remain at Real Madrid for as long as possible and ultimately retire with the club, with contract extension talks reportedly underway. This indicates his commitment to his current career while simultaneously preparing for an exciting future off the pitch.