Thibaut Courtois' father has accused the Madrid media of bullying his son following Real Madrid's woeful performance against Ajax that saw them dumped out of the Champions League.
Thierry Courtois believes the Spanish and Flemish press are 'targeting' his boy after he shipped four goals, including a Lasse Schone free kick, against the Eredivisie side last week at the Bernabeu.
It's not the first time the former Chelsea goalkeeper has faced criticism since joining Real last summer and his dad is refusing to keep quiet on the matter.
'I feel that everyone is targeting Thibaut,' Courtois' father said. 'The Spanish press, and also the Flemish. As a father, I can not ignore that.
'A goalkeeper is always the first target, it is part of the job. For right or wrong, I let you judge that. But after the match against Ajax, he was targeted because of the fourth goal after he'd played well. This single mistake has taken on huge proportions.
'There are also personal things that come out in the press. I see the intentions of journalists to my son. I'm struggling with that, but luckily Thibaut is above that. He knows what to do and is aware of his qualities and he will not doubt himself.'
