COMMENT: For many inside the game, this has been a long time coming. Does he have the fortitude? The minerals? Does Thibaut Courtois have it in him to stare down the biggest test of his career...?
As we say, many inside the game have been waiting for this. For Zinedine Zidane. For someone. For anyone to tap Courtois on the shoulder and say: 'let's see what you're really about'.
At Chelsea, after three years away with Atletico Madrid, they withdrew Petr Cech to make room. A ten-year player. The best the club has seen. But the then 32 year-old - virtually in his prime - was told to step aside for the young Belgian.
Three years on and what Cech experienced in that final year at Stamford Bridge, Keylor Navas was going through the same - if not worse - at Real Madrid. Again, a veteran keeper. A hero to the fans. To his teammates. Three Champions League titles to his name. But with Courtois arriving, Keylor would have to make way. The Costa Rican this week rubbishing those previous false claims that selection would be done on form and merit.
"Whatever I did in the training sessions, I knew in advance that I would not play," he revealed, just days after being recalled for Zidane's first game back in charge.
“But I've always been a professional. I wanted to keep doing things well. Real Madrid is still a privilege for me."
Indeed, the mistreatment of Keylor was epitomised last week by his decision to again accept national team selection. For the entire European season, the Costa Rica captain had requested not to be considered. All on the false premise that putting in the extra hours at Valdebebas could win over the coaching staff - and president Florentino Perez. But the orders had been made - and accepted. Courtois was Real's No1 - no matter what Keylor did on the training pitch, nor how the Belgian performed on matchday.
Which, leading up to Zidane's celebrated return, was at a career low. Never, not from Genk to Atletico to Chelsea, has Courtois performed so poorly as he has in this first season in Spain. The statistics produced are the worst of his career. But pre-Zidane, it didn't matter a jot. Keylor even being snubbed by then coach Santiago Solari for the final Champions League group game against CSKA Moscow. A dead rubber.
Again, the Costa Rican laid bare this week: "An ugly gesture. Almost all of my teammates got a chance to play. Not me. That was hard to accept, but I remained calm under the situation and kept working hard."
Of course, Florentino will argue they had "the greatest goalkeeper in the world". And therefore he should always play. The president's reasoning stemming from Courtois being judged the best keeper at last summer's World Cup.
But it was a judgment that (as we've mentioned) many in the game disputed. Gigi Buffon no less, left unimpressed by the decision.
"I am annoyed that Hugo Lloris (of Tottenham) did not receive the trophy of the best goalkeeper of the World Cup," said the PSG No1. "When a team wins the World Cup with a goalkeeper who makes four or five saves in crucial moments, that goalkeeper must receive that reward."
Well now Courtois has the opportunity to prove us all wrong. To silence those who believe it's all come too easy for him. Afforded protection by those beyond the training pitch. Granted a smoother ride than most courtesy of the board room. But now with Zidane in charge. And clearly an agreement with Florentino of no selection interference. It's all for Courtois to win over his new coach.
And he's starting well back. In a position he's never before found himself in. Not only must he compete for selection. But he does so with a rival whom the coach favours and enjoys a strong (and winning) bond with.
"I know how competitive this club is," Courtois stated earlier this season, "and how difficult it is for the coach to choose in positions in a lot of games, that is why I came here."
That was then. The days of Solari and Florentino. But reality has bitten now. He has a new coach to win over and a genuine rival to beat.
The world is watching. Does Courtois have it in him to prove us all wrong?
