Courtois: Inferior Barcelona shouldn't get title if season ends early

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Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois doesn't believe Barcelona deserve the title if La Liga's 2019-20 campaign ends prematurely due to the coronavirus pandemic.

"We are two points behind Barcelona, so it's still possible we can be champion," Courtois said in an interview on his website.

With 11 matches remaining on the schedule following the suspension of the league on March 12, two-time reigning champions Barcelona sit atop the table with 58 points, two ahead of rivals Madrid.

"So if they decide this morning to stop the competition and Barcelona is named champion, I also wouldn't find that completely right," Courtois said. "They tied once against us and lost once, so we showed them that we are a better team. But we're two points behind them, so I don't agree with that."

La Liga boss Javier Tebas has targeted June for a resumption of league play, and Courtois hopes the campaign can be salvaged.

Madrid players are set to return to the Valdebebas training ground on Wednesday for coronavirus checks, with the following Monday earmarked for the resumption of training once medical staff receive test results.

COVID-19 tests mark the first part of a four-week phase followed by individual training, group training, and a return to competitive matches in June barring any setbacks.