Thibaut Courtois was awarded the Yashin Trophy as the top-performing goalkeeper in 2022 by France France at the Ballon d’Or ceremony held at Paris’s Théâtre du Châtelet. The Real Madrid glovesman came out ahead of Bounou, Alisson, Ederson, Maignan, Mendy, Neuer, Oblak, Trapp and Lloris in the voting. This trophy crowns an amazing season pulled off by the Belgian Guiardian. He has been one of the key men for Ancelotti but as well as for his National Team.
His saves:
Thibaut Courtois collected the Yashin Trophy as the best goalkeeper in 2022 at the Ballon d’Or ceremony. France Football recognised the Belgian’s outstanding form during the 2021/22 season, which featured some fine performances as he played a key role in Real Madrid’s trophy triumphs in the Champions League, LaLiga and the Spanish Super Cup.
The hero as the team captured the club’s Decimocuarta, Courtois clocked up 52 appearances and showcased his immense talent between the sticks in the ties against PSG, Chelsea and Manchester. He was named Player of the Match in the final after keeping Liverpool at bay with some stunning saves as Real Madrid ran out 1-0 winners, courtesy of Vini Jr.’s strike.
One of the key factors in the club’s 35th LaLiga title was the side’s defensive solidity. Courtois’s saves helped Real Madrid to end the season with one of the competition’s meanest backlines (31 goals conceded). The Belgian also turned in some standout performances in the Spanish Super Cup, in which he saved a penalty in the final against Athletic.
Collecting the award:
After collecting the award, the Belgian commented: “It’s an honour to have won this trophy, given the great men’s and women’s goalkeepers here. I want to thank my Real Madrid teammates. It’s a pleasure to be part of this amazing team, which enjoyed a superb season. I also want to thank my family and my fiancée. It’s always important to have the family there, particularly when things aren’t going for you”.
Qatar World Cup: “I hope to win the World Cup with Belgium. We lost to France in 2018 and I hope that we can do better in Qatar. We’ve got a great team and I hope that we can achieve something special”.
Speaking for Real Madrid TV:
“I’m very proud, and particularly for having won it as a madridista. This is one of the most special moments of my life. I’ve always wanted to show the madridistas that I never give up and will always work hard. We all give our all for this club. Last season, we won those games thanks to the special atmosphere at the Bernabéu. That results in individual awards, like the one for Benzema and this one. I hope that we return to Cibeles this year”.
“As Benzema said on stage, you’ve got to really look after yourself. The game is getting more intense by the year and we’re doing everything to keep playing for many more years. For a goalkeeper, it’s so important to be mentally strong. You can be called on to make that important save to win the game at any time and you’ve got to concentrate for the full 90 minutes. It’s not always easy, but I’m so happy”.
Thanks: “As well as my teammates, coaches, the president and everyone from the club, there’s also my family and my parents. When I was just seven, they took me to training and I do the same with my son to allow him to accomplish his dream. I've been very well brought up and was taught that there’s no reward without sacrifice. My fiancée has also helped me lots in the two years we’ve been together”.
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