Real Madrid's Thibaut Courtois says lack of respect inspired his Champions League final heroics
PARIS -- Thibaut Courtois has revealed a lack of respect for his success in England inspired him to produce a match-winning performance as Real Madrid beat Liverpool 1-0 in Saturday's Champions League final. The 30-year-old produced nine saves -- the most by a goalkeeper in a European Cup final since records began in 2003 -- as Vinicius Junior scored the only goal to give Real a record-extending 14th success in the competition at the Stade de France. - Ogden: Courtois inspires Madrid to Champions League glory- How social media, sports star reacted to Madrid's UCL victory- Stream ESPN FC Daily on ESPN+ (U.S. only)- Don't have ESPN? Get instant access Courtois revealed afterwards he had been motivated by the March edition of English-based magazine Four Four Two, which omitted him from a list comprising the best 10 goalkeepers in the world and reaction to his pre-match press conference in which he stated his confidence that Real would triumph over Liverpool. The Belgium international left Chelsea for Madrid in acrimonious circumstances four years ago, failing to report for preseason training as he attempted to force through a move to Spain -- a factor he believes clouds judgement of his performances. "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. 5hMark Ogden 6hGabriele Marcotti 51mJames Olley 2 Related "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." Asked about the goalkeeper list back in March, Real boss Carlo Ancelotti said: "It's nonsense. What can I say? It's nonsense. Courtois is the best in the world for me. I'm biased, but saying Courtois isn't among the best 10... I think you should tear up your press card, whether you're a journalist or coach or statistician, if Courtois isn't in the top 10 you should tear up your press card."
UCL: You don’t respect me – Thibaut Courtois mocks Liverpool, Chelsea after Real Madrid’s win
Real Madrid goalkeeper, Thibaut Courtois appears to mock fans of English football, including Liverpool and his former club, Chelsea after he delivered a man of the match display in Saturday’s Champions League final in France. Courtois left Chelsea for Real in 2018 and initially took time to settle in Spain again, having spent some time on loan at Atletico Madrid. Under current manager, Carlo Ancelotti, Courtois has steadily rebuilt his reputation and is now back amongst the best goalkeepers in the world. Liverpool found the 30-year-old in unbeatable form with Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane in particular left dumbfounded by the goalkeeper’s agility and reflexes. Speaking to the press after the match, the Belgian offered a pointed response to his critics, saying: “Yesterday in the press conference I said that when Madrid play finals they win. I was on the good side of history. “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. I saw a lot of criticism even after a great season. “I am really proud of the team. We stuck to it and when I needed to be there, I was there for the team. “We beat some of the best clubs in the world. City and Liverpool were unbelievable this season. They fought to the end in the Premier League, Liverpool won two cups and they were really strong. “We played a great game today. We had one chance and scored it.”
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