After Real Madrid’s victory against Liverpool at the Stade de France, Thibaut Courtois stated that he does not receive enough respect, ‘particularly in England.’
Real Madrid won their 14th Champions League title in Paris after the Belgian goalkeeper put up a man-of-the-match performance to deny Liverpool’s plethora of offensive skills.
Courtois made some impressive stops, including turning a Sadio Mane shot into the post in the first half when Liverpool had Madrid on the ropes. He, later on, saved Mohamed Salah late in the game.
‘I saw a lot of messages going my way, claiming that I would be humbled tonight. But it was the other way around,’ Courtois said after winning his first Champions League title.
‘To earn respect for my name, I needed to win this final. Because I am undervalued, particularly in England’.
‘I stated yesterday that when Madrid plays finals, they win, and I’m on the right side of history,’ he said. ‘I’m quite pleased with the team’s performance.’
‘With our teammates, we beat the top clubs in the world.’ This season, Manchester City and Liverpool were outstanding. They were quite powerful today.’
‘Liverpool won two cups, they were incredibly strong today, I think I played a terrific game and it was the difference – we only had one chance and we scored it,’ he said.
During his news conference, Courtois was questioned why he thought he didn’t get enough respect in England.
‘There was a publication that didn’t place me in the top 10 [goalkeepers in the world] in March,’ he answered. It’s funny that they don’t have to put me in the top 10, yet they don’t have to put me in the top 10.
‘I suppose that has something to do with how I left Chelsea, but I won the Premier League twice in England, and I don’t believe I ever got recognized for it, especially after my first year with Real Madrid.’ Many people mocked me, but now I’m a winner, so it’s a wonderful return.’
Madrid’s 14th title in the tournament pushes them farther ahead of the second most successful team in Europe (AC Milan, seven-time winners).
Real Madrid took the lead with Vinicius Junior’s second-half goal, and Courtois’s remarkable saves and defensive dominance ensured that Los Blancos did not surrender their lead.
Courtois backed up his remarks, saying that he was celebrating the Champions League victory for his family who had died.
‘It’s been so many years, so much work, coming to the club of my life,’ he told Movistar. ‘I already stated yesterday that Madrid wins, and it’s like that.’
‘Many in Liverpool and elsewhere have criticized me, but we have demonstrated who is the monarch of Europe.’
I’ve felt great this year, and I’ve handled the last few weeks well. Once you make the first step, you’re focused, and I took risks with Mane and Salah.
‘No one could take my passion to win the Champions League away from me.’ I was going to win a Champions League for my loved ones who had died away.’
‘Especially Salah’s, I looked for it from a distance, and I knew where the ball was heading,’ Courtois said of his finest stop. It’s insane; I can’t believe what I’m hearing.’