Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has called for increased fan respect for players after teammate Vinicius Junior faced abuse from Athletic Club supporters. The incident overshadowed Real Madrid’s 3-0 victory, prompting Vinicius to respond with a “three-goal” gesture.
Courtois stressed that players “are people, we’re humans – we’re not machines,” citing Ronald Araujo’s social media abuse as another example. He advocates for banter but believes insults cross a line, emphasizing the need for fundamental human respect.