Champions League: I don’t think I get enough respect, especially in England – Thibaut Courtois

 

Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois was at his absolute best in the UEFA Champions League against Liverpool FC at the Stade de France, Paris on Saturday. Liverpool FC dominated the whole contest as they took a total of 24 shots, out of which nine were on the target. But Courtois made as many as nine saves throughout the game and kept his team in the contest.

Vini Jr. scored in the 59th minute of the game to put his team in the front. In fact, Los Blancos took only two shots on target.

Meanwhile, Courtois was not named in the top ten goalkeepers as per the English-based magazine Four Four Two and the Real Madrid goalkeeper wasn’t impressed after noticing the same. Courtois was determined to prove his mettle in the big final against Liverpool and he certainly proved his point.

“There was a magazine in March that didn’t put me in the best 10 goalkeepers,” explained Courtois.

“I don’t know. That I think is a lack of respect. I don’t say they have to put me No. 1, really, I don’t mind. Alisson is a great goalkeeper, [Edouard] Mendy is a great goalkeeper, [Jan] Oblak, Ederson. There are really a lot of great goalkeepers, I don’t say you have to put me No. 1.

“But after a season like this they don’t put you in the first 10, it is strange. Secondly, yesterday, I saw plenty of funny stuff coming out of England.

“I guess it is to do with how I left Chelsea but I won twice the Premier League in England. I don’t think I ever really get recognised for it, especially after my first year with Madrid. A lot of people laughed at me but here I am as a winner so it is a nice comeback.

“I saw a lot of tweets coming my way that I would get humbled today it was the other way round. “Today I needed to win a final for my career, for all the hard work to put respect on my name as I don’t think I get enough respect, especially in England.”

This was the 14th Champions League title for Real Madrid and they continued their domination in the tournament. Furthermore, Carlo Ancelotti became the first manager to win four Champions League titles, which is the most for any head coach.