Thibaut Courtois says he's long been a fan of Real Madrid.

Courtois admits that he would keep tabs on Madrid as a youngster due to his adoration of a former Los Blancos great.

"I began to follow Madrid because I loved Iker Casillas, while I also loved the style of (Edwin) Van der Sar.

"I bought Iker's jersey and I had a big flag of the Bernabeu in my room.

"I did not support Real Madrid but I liked them," he stated.

Speaking on the competition for the no.1 spot with Keylor Navas, Courtois revealed what his first coach at Real Madrid, Julen Lopetegui, told the two keepers.

"Lopetegui spoke with us and said that Keylor would play the first two matches and I would play the next two.

"After that, he didn't tell us anything," he revealed.

"I have a good relationship with Keylor, he is a good teammate, but a friendship is not made in five months," he said.