Real Madrid shot-stopper Thibaut Courtois has claimed that it is ‘impossible’ for him to win the Ballon D’Or after he came 7th in the rankings at Monday nights award ceremony.
Courtois’ teammate Karim Benzema scooped the award, followed home by Sadio Mane and Kevin De Bruyne, while Mohamed Salah, Robert Lewandowski and Kylian Mbappe all also finished ahead of the Belgian no.1
The Los Blancos goalkeeper did scoop the Yashin trophy for best goalkeeper, but hit out afterwards, claiming that he should have been higher up the rankings for the main award.
THIBAUT COURTOIS IS THE 2022 YACHINE TROPHY WINNER!#TrophéeYachine #ballondor pic.twitter.com/xRpkyaQkLI
— Ballon d’Or #ballondor (@francefootball) October 17, 2022
Courtois scooped the La Liga and Champions League double, being named man of the match in the final against Liverpool and making nine saves, the most since the 03-04 final, to help ensure that his side won a narrow affair 1-0.
And speaking after the awards ceremony, he was at pains to point that out.
“I see the Ballon d’Or as impossible to win”, he explained. “You win La Liga and you win the Champions League, your team wins thanks to your saves… and you only finish 7th. At least they created the trophy for best goalkeeper.”
While the likes of Mo Salah and Kevin De Bruyne were both incredibly impressive last campaign, it is hard to look past Courtois’ placement in 7th as harsh, with the goalkeeper saving his side an additional four goals in La Liga according to expected goals.
