Real Madrid shot-stopper Thibaut Courtois believes that it is ‘impossible’ for him to win this year’s Ballon d’Or due to the position that he plays in.
The Belgian international was the star of the show as Real Madrid beat Liverpool to the Champions League title thanks to a solitary strike by Vinicius Junior. Courtois pulled off eye-catching saves to deny Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah as Los Blancos claimed their 14th European Cup.
But despite his heroics, Courtois is not optimistic that his display on the biggest stage will be enough to win him a significant individual honour, though, especially after the season that his teammate Karim Benzema has had.
“It is impossible for a goalkeeper to win it, even more so if he plays in a team with Benzema,’ Courtois told Tuttomercato, as quoted by Sportsmail.
“I can go far, but it is difficult to win this trophy.”
Not since 1963 has a goalkeeper won the Ballon d’Or when Lev Yashin did. And considering Karim Benzema’s form this season, that run appears set to continue.
The Frenchman scored 44 goals in 46 games in 2021-22 to emerge as the clear favourite for the award.
And Courtois has revealed that Benzema’s form makes him the favourite for the award.
“For me, what matters is the fact that when I returned to the locker room, all my teammates were screaming my name. This is worth more than personal recognition,” he added.
