‘I don’t get enough respect, especially in England’: Real Madrid’s man of the match Thibaut Courtois hits back at critics on Twitter after Champions League final win over Liverpool
- Thibaut Courtois puts in man of the match display against Liverpool in Paris
- Real Madrid claim their 14th Champions League after 1-0 victory over the Reds
- The Belgian ‘keeper tells fans to put respect on his name after the match
Thibaut Courtois said after Real Madrid’s triumph over Liverpool at the Stade de France that he does not get enough respect, ‘especially in England’.
The Belgian goalkeeper put in a man of the match display to deny Liverpool’s wealth of attacking talent and ensure Real Madrid won their 14th Champions League crown in Paris.
Notable saves included tipping a Sadio Mane shot onto the post in the first half when Liverpool had Madrid on the ropes and then Courtois saved astonishingly from Mohamed Salah late on in the game.
Thibaut Courtois said fans should put respect on his name after man of the match display
Speaking to BT after winning his maiden Champions League crown, Courtois said: ‘I saw a lot of tweets coming my way, saying that I will get humbled today but it was the other way around.
‘I needed to win this final to put respect on my name. Because I don’t get enough respect, especially in England.
‘Yesterday I said when Madrid plays finals they win it and I’m on the good side of history,’ he added. ‘I’m really proud of the performance of the team.’
His late save from Mohamed Salah ensured Real Madrid saw out the 1-0 win in Paris
‘We beat the best clubs in the world together with us. City and Liverpool were unbelievable this season. Today they were really strong.’
‘Liverpool won two cups, today they were really strong, I think I played a great game and that was the difference – we had one chance and we scored it,’ he went on.
Courtois was then asked during his press conference why he felt he didn’t get enough respect in England.
He replied: ‘There was a magazine, in March, that didn’t put me in the top 10 [goalkeepers in the world]. I don’t think they have to put me as number one but not to be put in the top 10 – it’s strange’
Thibaut Courtois was officially named man of the match after the game and awarded the prize
Madrid’s 14th triumph in the competition further pulls them away from Europe’s next most successful club (AC Milan, seven-time winners).
Vinicius Junior’s second half strike put Real Madrid into the lead and Courtois’s stunning saves and control at the back ensured that Los Blancos did not relinquish their lead.
Courtois doubled down on his comments and said that this Champions League win for relatives of his that have passed away.
‘So many years, so much work, coming to the club of my life, yesterday I already said that Madrid wins and it is like that,’ he told Movistar.
‘Many from Liverpool and other people criticising me but we have shown who is the king of Europe.
The Belgian was in top form from the first whistle with Liverpool looking to blow Real Madrid away early on
‘I’ve felt very good this year, I’ve managed the last few weeks well, and once you make the first stop then you’re focused, and I took chances from Mane and Salah.
‘Nobody could take away my desire to win a Champions League. For my loved ones who have passed, I was going to win a Champions League.’
Courtois said his best save was the one from Salah’s shot late on: ‘Especially Salah’s, I looked for it from distance, and I knew where the ball was going. It’s crazy, I don’t believe it.’
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