Courtois Praises Raphinha, Backs Mbappe for Ballon d'Or in Recent Comments

Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois addressed several topics in recent comments, praising Barcelona's Raphinha and offering views on the Ballon d'Or and the derby defeat.

• Courtois said Raphinha, who has scored 14 goals in eight matches this season, does not always receive the appreciation he deserves as a key Barcelona player.
• Courtois said the 2-1 derby defeat to Atletico Madrid on September 20 stemmed from Real Madrid's own mistakes, not refereeing, and denied any hidden agenda against the club.
• Courtois said Mbappe deserves the Ballon d'Or, arguing the award should go to the year's best player rather than the one with the most titles.
• He said Mourinho is calmer than in his Chelsea days but still presses players in meetings and says what he thinks to their faces.