David Raya Among World’s Elite, Says Courtois Amid Spain Competition

David Raya has firmly established himself among the world’s best goalkeepers, according to Real Madrid’s Thibaut Courtois, but the Arsenal shot-stopper still faces fierce competition to claim Spain’s coveted No.1 jersey. Courtois, who is widely regarded as one of the finest keepers on the planet, specifically highlighted Raya’s exceptional performances for Arsenal this season and praised his rise to the top tier of global goalkeeping.

David Raya’s Rise to the Top of World Goalkeeping

David Raya’s journey to becoming Arsenal’s first-choice goalkeeper has been nothing short of remarkable. Since his switch from Brentford in 2023, Raya quickly usurped Aaron Ramsdale, proving crucial to Arsenal’s title challenge. This season, Raya has been a defensive pillar, helping Arsenal to 11 clean sheets and conceding only five goals across all competitions. His Champions League record has been especially impressive, as Arsenal remain the only team yet to concede in the group stage—a testament to Raya’s shot-stopping and composure under pressure.

Courtois Praises Raya but Highlights Spain Challenge

Thibaut Courtois, in a recent interview, placed Raya in his personal top three, alongside Jan Oblak and Alisson Becker. Courtois remarked, “Arsenal are having a great season, they’re conceding very few goals, and Raya already had a great season last year.” However, the Belgian star emphasized that Raya has to overcome significant competition at international level. Spain’s current manager, Luis de la Fuente, has consistently entrusted Athletic Club’s Unai Simon with the No.1 role, especially during Spain’s successful Nations League and Euro 2024 campaigns.

Spain’s No.1 Shirt — A Debate Fueled by Form and Trust

Despite Raya’s incredible club form, the battle for Spain’s starting spot remains intense. De la Fuente’s loyalty to Unai Simon is rooted in Spain’s defensive solidity: the national team is unbeaten in 31 competitive matches, with only two goals conceded in their last six fixtures and five consecutive clean sheets. Simon was integral to Spain’s recent trophy wins, cementing his place as a reliable figure between the posts.

Courtois believes this level of competition is essential for any top team, stating, “Although Unai is also a great goalkeeper and is performing extremely well for the national team, so he deserves to keep playing. That’s football and competition for you.” Courtois added that healthy competition drives improvement and keeps goalkeepers at their best, particularly when one mistake can mean losing your spot.

Thibaut Courtois: A Benchmark for All Goalkeepers

Thibaut Courtois himself sets the standard that many aspire to reach. Since joining Real Madrid in 2018, Courtois has secured two Champions League titles, four La Liga crowns, and over 130 clean sheets in 337 appearances for the club. On the international stage, he has been equally impressive, winning the Golden Glove at the 2018 World Cup and the Lev Yashin Trophy in 2022.

Despite his personal accolades, Courtois remains humble, acknowledging the subjectivity in rating goalkeepers. “I’m definitely one of the best, but it depends on each person’s taste and everyone is free to have their own opinion. In the end, what I have to do is help my club and what people think,” he noted.

What’s Next for Courtois and Raya?

While Courtois missed international duty through injury, he is focused on regaining fitness for Real Madrid’s upcoming fixture against Elche. Meanwhile, Raya will hope his consistency and heroics for Arsenal will eventually convince Spain’s selectors to give him the nod as their number one.

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Opinion: Raya’s Time Will Come if He Maintains His Level

In my view, David Raya has shown every quality required of a world-class goalkeeper—from his reflexes to his calm distribution under pressure. Yet, international football often rewards reliability and trust over club form alone. If Raya continues on his current trajectory, it’s only a matter of time before Spain’s coaches are forced to give him his chance. Healthy competition is vital, and Spain is lucky to have two top-tier keepers pushing each other to new heights.