Real Madrid 1-0 Liverpool: Thibaut Courtois hits out at critics after Champions League final | OneFootball

Real Madrid were crowned Champions League winners on Saturday evening as they defeated Liverpool in the final in Paris.

Liverpool went into the game looking to avenge their defeat in the 2018 Champions League final.

But it was Real who emerged victorious yet again as they won 1-0.

Vinicius Jr scored the only goal of the game as he tapped home a low cross from Federico Valverde in the 59th minute.

While Vinicius was the match winner, the role of Thibaut Courtois in Real’s victory cannot be understated.

The Belgian goalkeeper made nine saves in the final, including phenomenal stops to deny Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane.

Courtois then hit back at his critics in a defiant interview after the game.

He said on BT Sport: “In the press conference yesterday I said when Real Madrid plays finals they win it. I’m on the good side of history.

“I saw tweets coming my way saying I was going to get humbled today but it was the other way around. Today I needed to win a final for my career, for all the hard work, to put respect on my name, because I don’t think I have enough respect, especially in England. I saw a lot of criticism, even after a great season, that I was not good enough or whatever.

“I’m just really happy and proud of the performance of the team. We stuck to it and when I needed to be I was there for the team.”

What an interview.

Carlo Ancelotti, meanwhile, was full of praise for his goalkeeper after the game.

He said, per journalist Fabrizio Romano: “Trust me, I can’t believe what Thibaut Courtois did tonight, guys. Unbelievable”.

After his performance in the final, Courtois may have an outside chance of winning the Ballon d’Or.