Courtois has a new club – the Belgian joins a tennis great and F1 drivers

Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has joined the ranks of high-profile investors in Ligue 2 side Le Mans, the French club announced on Thursday. Courtois becomes the latest sports star to back the club, joining tennis legend Novak Djokovic and Formula 1 drivers Felipe Massa and Kevin Magnussen in their efforts to transform Le Mans into a major force in French football—a project often dubbed the “French Wrexham.”

According to RMC Sport, Courtois will contribute not just financially, but also with his expertise as a top-level goalkeeper who has won both the Champions League and La Liga, supporting the club’s aim of achieving promotion and long-term stability in Ligue 2.

The 33-year-old Belgian invested through his firm NxtPlay Capital, joining a consortium led by Brazilian group Outfield, now the majority shareholder. While Djokovic, Massa, and Magnussen hold minority stakes, Courtois is the first from the football world among this group.

The club’s statement outlined the vision: “The ambition is to build an ambitious and sustainable football club, rooted in the city's iconic motorsport heritage and a globally recognized brand identity. The priorities are strengthening sporting performance and developing the club's brand, both locally and internationally, in order to fully unlock the sporting and commercial potential of Le Mans FC.”

Le Mans has earned the nickname “French Wrexham” due to their celebrity-backed ownership model. Courtois follows a path similar to his Real Madrid teammates Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr., both of whom have invested in football clubs. Mbappe $16.9m into French third-tier side SM Caen in 2024, while Vinicius is a majority investor at Portuguese club FC Alverca, which earned promotion to the Primeira Liga last season.

Currently fifth in Ligue 2, just three points off leaders Troyes after 23 games, Le Mans are aiming to climb higher under the guidance of these elite athletes. The club earned promotion from the Championnat National in 2024/25 and has not played in Ligue 1 since 2009/10, with only five seasons in the top tier throughout their history. With Courtois’ backing added to the existing star-studded ownership, Le Mans are hoping to accelerate their rise and become a recognized name across Europe.