Thibaut Courtois Eyes Champions League Glory as Real Madrid

Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois is preparing for the club's UEFA Champions League opener against Inter Milan tonight, September 8, 2026. The Belgian was among the Madrid stars who recently selected their favorite goals in the competition's history, highlighting iconic strikes from Cristiano Ronaldo and Zinedine Zidane.

What are Courtois and his teammates' favorite Champions League goals?

Ahead of the new campaign, Courtois and four teammates shared their picks for the best-ever Champions League goal. The goalkeeper's choice was split between two legendary volleys. He named Zinedine Zidane's stunning left-footed strike in the 2002 final against Bayer Leverkusen and Cristiano Ronaldo's acrobatic bicycle kick against Juventus in April 2018.

His colleagues had their own iconic moments in mind. Young striker Endrick also selected Ronaldo's effort against Juventus. Defender Antonio Rudiger and winger Arda Guler both picked Gareth Bale's spectacular overhead kick for Real Madrid against Liverpool in the 2018 final. Forward Vinicius Junior echoed Courtois by choosing Zidane's 2002 volley.

Ronaldo's goal, scored from 2.38 meters in the air, earned a standing ovation from the Juventus crowd and praise from goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon. The Portuguese star remains the competition's all-time top scorer with 140 goals, 105 of which came during his nine-year spell with Real Madrid.

How does Real Madrid's Champions League history set the stage for 2026-27?

The club's rich history in the tournament provides the backdrop for this season's challenge. Real Madrid last won the Champions League in 2024, securing their second title since Ronaldo's departure to Juventus in 2018.

Courtois, a key figure in the 2024 triumph, will be central to any success as the group stage gets underway.

• Courtois' favorite goals include Zidane's 2002 final volley and Ronaldo's 2018 bicycle kick.
• Real Madrid's campaign for a 16th European title starts on September 8, 2026, against Inter Milan.
• Cristiano Ronaldo scored 105 of his record 140 Champions League goals for Real Madrid.
• The team's last Champions League win was in 2024, two titles after Ronaldo's exit.