Thibaut Courtois has asserted that he is unafraid of facing world record holder Lionel Messi this weekend.
The Atletico Madrid goalkeeper will front up to Messi and his Barcelona team on Sunday evening.
Going into this clash between the League’s top two sides, who are both on club-record starts to a season, Courtois faces Messi with the knowledge that he has already conceded four times to him in previous meetings.
Even so, and even combined with Messi’s world record tally of 88 goals so far managed in the calendar year of 2012, the Belgian is not nervous for the duel.
“Do I fear Messi? No, no, I am not afraid of anyone. He is a great player and we respect him very much, but there is no fear,” assured the young shot-stopper of Sunday’s notable opponent.
“Now we are focused and the team wants to do their best in a complex field such as the Camp Nou. Barcelona have a very good group of players.”
The ‘keeper played in the midweek Copa del Rey tie against Getafe, which he believes the club are taking seriously this season.
“The Cup is very important. I have told several of my teammates of the importance of playing in the Cup Final for this club.
“It would be spectacular, playing in a big stadium and it can sometimes be 40,000 for each games. We can reach the final.
“It will be difficult. It won’t be great to face either Barcelona or Real Madrid, but we must advance first in order to do so.”
