Thibaut Courtois has not been nominated for the Goalkeeper of the Year trophy for the first time in a long time, an award presented annually by the world football association Fifa. The Red Devils goalkeeper says he is not surprised and refers to some spicy statements he made some time ago.
However, Courtois has been a regular customer on the year-end lists in recent years and he has had an excellent year with both Real and the Red Devils. “The fact that I have not been nominated does not surprise me,” said the goalkeeper on the eve of the CL match in Tiraspol. “I made some comments a month ago that didn’t go down well.”
After the Nations League, Courtois had lashed out at Uefa by stating that there are too many matches and they only think about money. “I know what I’m worth and what I do for the club. That’s what it’s all about: the recognition of teammates and the club. I’m not the one who decides and there are excellent goalkeepers on that list. Just give the trophy to the best goalkeeper and that’s it. Collective prices are more important than individual ones. If I can choose, I’d rather win the Champions League.’
Eden Hazard
Courtois also briefly returned to record purchase Eden Hazard, who is gradually in a hopeless situation in Madrid. The captain of the Red Devils is out with stomach flu and therefore did not travel to Moldova. ‘He had been ill in recent days and was therefore unable to train. I have known Eden for a long time and I know that it was his dream to play for Real. It makes him sad that he can’t do more for the club for the time being,” said Courtois.
“However, I don’t see a player who hangs his head and accepts the situation. On the contrary: I see him giving everything in training and doing everything he can to achieve his goals. His time will come when the coach gives him playing minutes. We must not forget his qualities. You don’t lose his talent overnight. So we should not forget or write him off, because he is not just any player. He has already shown that he is one of the best football players in the world.”
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