Real Madrid’s Thibaut Courtois enjoyed a fabulous 2022

THAT Champions League run

Real Madrid’s Champions League campaign last season was the stuff of legends, a classic fairy tale. However, it wouldn’t have been remotely close to possible without Thibaut Courtois’ heroics. Diving down to his left to save Lionel Messi’s penalty in the second leg against PSG was just the the tip of the iceberg. The Belgian saved multiple other efforts from the French giants in that game, not to mention a fair few in the first leg defeat in Paris as well.

Karim Benzema scored yet another hat-trick as Real Madrid comfortably defeated Chelsea at Stamford Bridge the following week but the Real Madrid goalkeeper was there to save them time and again, most memorably stretching against a Cesar Azpilicueta shot that looked as if it was destined for the top corner – one for the cameras.

Courtois wasn’t at his very best in the reverse fixture but Real Madrid still managed to progress despite conceding three times and losing on the night. The Belgian conceded at his near post to Timo Werner and was poorly positioned for Mason Mount’s goal as well.

The semi-final against Manchester City was where it all came together for Real Madrid. Courtois conceded four times in a 4-3 defeat at the Etihad Stadium but was once again back to his very best at the Santiago Bernabeu, parrying a Phil Foden header, blocking Joao Cancelo’s shot from range and deflecting a Jack Grealish shot across goal with his feet. It was an inspired performance that helped Los Blancos book their place in the final.

Courtois’ Man of the Match performance in the final against Liverpool was there for the world to watch and included some magnificent saves to keep the game in Real Madrid’s favour. He tipped Sadio Mane’s curler onto the post and most crucially came out on top of each individual battle with Mohamed Salah. His reflexes were top notch but his positioning more than anything was exemplary for any aspiring shot-stopper to watch. That performance in the final cemented the Belgian’s position as arguably the best goalkeeper in world football.

A disastrous World Cup campaign in an otherwise flawless year

Perhaps the only thorn in Thibaut Courtois’ path this year will be that his Belgium side did not make it past the group stages in the FIFA World Cup. He did his best to keep two clean sheets against Croatia and Canada, where he even saved an Alphonso Davies spot kick, but was beaten twice against Morocco, ending the Red Devils’ dreams of a major trophy with their golden generation.

Just a month ago however, Courtois picked up France Football’s Yashin Trophy for best goalkeeper of the year, in a ceremony which also saw Real Madrid teammate Karim Benzema lift the Ballon d’Or.

Courtois enjoyed uninterrupted domestic and continental success with Real Madrid last year. The 30-year-old is up there with the best shot-stoppers in the club’s history, having made a name for himself following his €35 million move from Chelsea in the summer of 2018. After a pretty substandard first season, the Belgian really has turned things around in the seasons after that and is expected to remain the man between the posts for Los Blancos for years to come.