UEFA Best Player: who was the best player of the Champions League final? Belgian giant Thibaut Courtois was unbeatable in goal for Real Madrid

European club football knows its ruler for 2021/22. In the Champions League final in Paris, Spain’s Real Madrid beat England’s Liverpool by the narrowest of margins. Ruik.cz, which represents the Czech Republic in the Best Player UEFA poll of the German magazine Kicker, was also looking for the best player in the final duel. Belgian giant Thibaut Courtois was unbeatable in goal for Real Madrid.

The Royal Real Madrid has inserted the fifteenth most valuable club trophy into its Hall of Fame. No one else can boast such an extensive collection – not even close. However, when recalling this year’s triumph, it immediately comes to mind that the Real Madrid goalkeeper is the one who deserves the most credit for humbling an English opponent who was otherwise superior and created many more chances. The two-metre tall Belgian giant.

His dominance was so convincing that none of the interviewees even spoke of another name. “I think the choice was absolutely clear,” Günter Bittengel, former Czechoslovak and Czech national player, doesn’t hesitate for a moment.

“He gave an excellent performance, catching at least three goals,” he points out. “Throughout the spring, he kept the team going when turning around unfavourable scores against Paris Saint-Germain or Manchester City, thanks to him, because he caught the ball and didn’t allow the opponent to go into a bigger lead,” he puts forward compelling arguments for why he opted for the Belgian goalkeeper.

Milan Štěrba, the chief commentator of the Nova Sport television station, which broadcasts the Champions League and devotes extensive space to the competition, shares the same opinion. “A clear hero,” he points his finger.

And he’s using statistics to help him. “Courtois had nine sharp saves in the final, while his counterpart Alisson had none,” indirectly reminding us that he did not prevent the two shots that went into his net (Benzema’s was not valid for offside). “It’s clear to whom Real owe the win,” emphasises Štěrba on the contribution of the burly goalkeeper.

Erich Brabec, a permanent member of the jury, agrees with the choice of his two predecessors. “After a difficult season, he was able to fully concentrate for the decisive match,” he praises the Belgian international. “After the match, he admitted that his first amazing save catapulted him and he knew right away that he would catch everything,” Brabec throws in an interesting observation from the post-match interviews.

“He won Real the trophy!” everyone emphasises the 30-year-old bronze medallist from the 2018 World Cup in Russia. “He was great,” the judges agree in the same breath. No one else even got a chance to reflect on his performance. Courtois outdid everyone.

The jury’s vote

Günter Bittengel: Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid)

Erich Brabec:: Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid)

Milan Sterba:: Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid)

Source: UEFA