Thibaut Courtois of Real Madrid enters the field before the LaLiga EA Sports football match between Real Madrid CF and Real Sociedad at Estadio Bernabeu in Madrid, Spain, on February 14, 2026. (Photo by Alberto Gardin/NurPhoto) (Photo by Alberto Gardin / NurPhoto via AFP)
Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has dismissed suggestions that Barcelona should be considered clear favourites for Sunday’s El Clásico, insisting the rivalry’s unique intensity makes the outcome impossible to predict until the match is played.
Speaking ahead of the October 25 clash at Spotify Camp Nou, the first league meeting between the sides in the 2026-27 season, the Belgian international struck a confident tone despite Barcelona’s strong start to the campaign.
The Catalans currently lead La Liga by six points.
As reported by Fabrizio Romano on X on Friday, the shot stopper was quoted as saying, “Barcelona the favorite in El Clásico? In the end, you never really know until you actually play the match,” Courtois said. “I think we’re in good shape and feeling confident… it’s 50-50, always.”
The Real Madrid No. 1 acknowledged Barcelona’s impressive league form but underlined his belief in his own side’s quality. “They’ve performed very well in La Liga, but I have faith in our team. I believe we can go there and win,” he added.
Courtois also noted the challenge of playing away from home while remaining optimistic.
“It’s true that it’s their home ground; playing away always makes for a different kind of match, but I trust our team. For me, even when one side might be in better form than the other, Clásicos are always 50-50.”
The comments come with the title race already taking shape.
A positive result for Real Madrid in Catalonia would significantly close the gap on the leaders, while a home victory for Barcelona would strengthen their position at the top of the table.
Courtois’s remarks reflect the traditional mindset surrounding El Clásico: form, table position and home advantage often count for less once the two biggest clubs in Spain step onto the same pitch.
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