This trophy, mainly used by Fifa to honor partnerships with Qatar and Saudi Arabia, clearly does not have the same flavor as a Champions League or a La Liga. On the other hand, it is symbolic. Not for Courtois himself who will especially be delighted to add something new to his window. Rather for the history of Belgian football. The Madrid goalkeeper is probably not aware of this, but this title allows him to equal Kevin De Bruyne’s record: 23 collective trophies won during his professional career. Better than anyone else (Thomas Vermaelen and Eden Hazard won 15).
A few months ago, KDB took a clear advantage over his compatriot by notably winning the treble with Manchester City and then other successes on the international scene (UEFA Super Cup, Club World Cup). But Courtois managed to catch up by winning La Liga, the Champions League, the UEFA Super Cup and now this Intercontinental Cup.
It now remains to be seen who will first lift their 24th trophy. Thanks to the Spanish Super Cup scheduled for January, Courtois will in any case have the first opportunity before focusing on the Copa del Rey, La Liga, the Champions League… and the new Club World Cup in June/July. That’s potentially up to 27 trophies at the end of the season. De Bruyne, for his part, has already been eliminated in the English League Cup and will have to pull himself together at all costs in the Premier League and the Champions League so as not to let Courtois (32) slip away for good, whose career as a goalkeeper at the highest level should probably last a few seasons longer than that of KDB (33 years).
