Courtois: I want responsibility and respect from the media Real Madrid No truth in anxiety reports

After a quiet evening for Belgium on Thursday night, Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois moved to deny rumours he is suffering anxiety attacks, and asked the media not to publish such lies.

Reports has circulated that the goalkeeper had to be taken off during half time of Real Madrid's Champions League match against Club Brugge due to anxiety, something the club and now player vehemently denied.

"I know what it means to be an elite player," Courtois said. "I'm very happy and I don't have anxiety problems.

"Responsibility from the media is required to not publish lies and nonsense about things like that because at the end of the day, there are people who really suffer from those problems.

"I think it's disrespectful to the player and to the people who are really suffering.

"I am happy and training hard and want to give the Real Madrid fans joy.

"The people at the [Estadio] Santiago Bernabeu are always a critical audience, we [Real Madrid players] know that, and we will do everything so that they break out in applause."

After the match against Club Brugge, Real Madrid released a statement indicating he had acute gastroenteritis with dehydration and electrolyte imbalance.

"I feel good now," Courtois explained. "It was a strong bout of flu, and not pleasant at all.

"Now I have recovered and was able to train almost all of Monday and Tuesday with the team, and did the entire session on Wednesday.

"I feel strong again, and had lost a few kilos too."

Courtois never had to make a save in Belgium's 9-0 thrashing of San Marino as the Red Devils booked their place at Euro 2020.