Real Madrid: 3 reasons why Thibaut Courtois has a Ballon d’Or case
The awards
Despite playing for a very attacking team that does not value a steady defensive structure under Carlo Ancelotti, Thibaut Courtois is in the running for the Zamora Trophy with 0.87 goals allowed per 90 minutes in LaLiga this season.
What matters more to the Ballon d’Or voters, though, is team success. Real Madrid are leading LaLiga despite all of their issues, especially their coaching problem, and they are in the quarterfinals of the Champions League. Courtois is a huge reason why Real have bested Barcelona, Sevilla, and Atletico Madrid in the league, and he is obviously a prime reason why they are still alive in the Champions League after that difficult battle with PSG.
Furthermore, Courtois was decisive in Real securing their lone trophy of the season so far, the Spanish Supercup.
Team success matters, and with LaLiga a likelihood and the Champions League still a possibility, Courtois can win the trophies he needs to be a candidate for the award. Mike Maignan and David Ospina, by the way, are the only other goalkeepers contending for a title who have BOTH a higher save percentage and a lower goals per 90 allowed average than Courtois.
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If Courtois can add the Zamora, that will only strengthen his case. Real Madrid are far from a perfect team. Everyone knows their flaws. That they are on their way to winning the league title and among the top teams in Europe in the Champions League is a huge credit to what Courtois has done. Team success and individual value go hand-in-hand, and despite the structural issues, Courtois’ individual numbers as a goalkeeper remain quite strong and among the best in Europe’s big five leagues.