Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois shrugged off all his disappointment on Saturday, saying he wants to win a Champions League medal and prove his opponents wrong, especially in England. Courtois did so in style as he played a key role in Real Madrid’s 1-0 win over Liverpool at the Stade de France in Paris on Saturday, May 28.
Thibaut Courtois sets a new Champions League recordBecame the first goalkeeper to make 9 saves in the tense final, which was delayed by more than 30 minutes due to crowd issues outside the iconic venue in Paris.
Champions League Final: Real Madrid 1-0 Liverpool Highlights
Whenever Liverpool got an opportunity to work, it was snatched up by the Belgian goalkeeper, who was at the top of his game in Paris.
Courtois’s heroism and Vinicius Jr.’s goal in the 59th minute helped Real Madrid win their 14th Champions League crown, and their 8th consecutive final victory.
“I saw so many tweets that I’d be humbled. It was the other way around. Today I needed to win a final – for my career, for the hard work, to have respect in my name because I don’t feel like it.” There’s a lot of respect, especially in England. I saw a lot of criticism that I wasn’t good enough or whatever,” Courtois was quoted as saying by The Guardian.
Courtois’s reaction comes a month after Chelsea fans were booed over his return to Stamford Bridge. The Belgian goalkeeper spent 7 years with the Blues and was forced out of the club in 2018.
Notably, for Courtois, it was redemption as well as he was banned for his performance in the 2014 Champions League final for Atletico Madrid against Real in Lisbon.
‘When Real Play Finals, They Win’
Showing Real Madrid’s dominance in Europe, Courtois said: “Thank you very much. I said at the press conference yesterday that when Madrid play in the final, they win.”
Courtois praised his teammates after Real Madrid won the crown in Paris. While Karim Benzema, their top scorer this season, did not find the back of the net, Valverde and Vinicius Jr. were at the top of the game, combining for the only goal on the big night.
“I am really happy and proud of the team’s performance, and I was there for the team when I needed to be there. Together we have beaten the best clubs in the world. Liverpool were very strong today. I think I played a really good game and that was the difference.”
While Liverpool missed out on a historic quadruple in their Premier League title race to Manchester City last week and losing in the UCL final on Saturday, Real Madrid made it a memorable season, completing the league title and Champions League double.