MX23RW : Thursday, November 21 16:30:26| >> :60:427:427:

Real Madrid's Thibaut Courtois slams Ballon d'Or rankings despite winning award

Courtois slams Ballon d'Or rankings despite award
© Reuters
Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois hits out at the final Ballon d'Or rankings, despite winning an award at the prestigious ceremony.

Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has hit out at the Ballon d'Or rankings, despite winning an award on the night.

Courtois, who was one of only two goalkeepers on the final shortlist for the main award, finished seventh in the voting behind Kylian Mbappe, Mohamed Salah, Robert Lewandowski, Kevin De Bruyne, Sadio Mane and teammate Karim Benzema.

The 30-year-old took home the Lev Yashin Trophy for best goalkeeper following his exploits last season, when he helped Real Madrid to Champions League, La Liga and Supercopa de Espana glory.

Courtois was named man of the match in the Champions League final against Liverpool as Los Blancos ran out 1-0 winners, and he believes that his performances deserved a higher ranking in the Ballon d'Or standings.

Speaking after the ceremony, the Belgium international admitted that he feels it is "impossible" to win the award as a goalkeeper.

"I see the Ballon d'Or as impossible to win. You win La Liga and you win the Champions League, your team wins thanks to your saves... and you only finish seventh. At least they created the trophy for best goalkeeper," Courtois told reporters.

Benzema took home the top prize for the first time in his career, while Barcelona trio Robert Lewandowski, Gavi and Alexia Putellas all also landed major awards, winning the Gerd Muller Trophy, the Raymond Kopa Trophy and the Women's Ballon d'Or respectively.

ID:497259:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect2979:

Click here for more stories about Thibaut Courtois

Click here for more stories about Liverpool

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Real Madrid's Karim Benzema after winning the Ballon d'Or on October 17, 2022
Read Next:
Final Ballon d'Or rankings in full as Karim Benzema takes top prize
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool119112161528
2Manchester CityMan City117222213923
3Chelsea115422113819
4Arsenal115421812619
5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest115421510519
6Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton115421915419
7Fulham115331613318
8Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
9Aston Villa115331717018
10Tottenham HotspurSpurs1151523131016
11Brentford115152222016
12Bournemouth114341515015
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd114341212015
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Leicester CityLeicester112451421-710
16Everton112451017-710
17Ipswich TownIpswich111551222-108
18Crystal Palace11146815-77
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves111371627-116
20Southampton11119721-144


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!