Cesc Fabregas changed his mind on who should win the Ballon d'Or following the 2022 Champions League final.
Before the match the former Arsenal and Chelsea midfielder suggested that Liverpool stars Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah and Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema could decide their fate in the showpiece event in Paris. He tweeted: "Not a big fan of individual trophies like that but surely the Ballon d'Or could/should be decided tonight? Mane? Salah? Benzema?"
But after a closely contested match that finished 1-0 with Thibault Courtois winning the man of the match award after pulling off nine sensational saves - more than any other shot-stopper in a Champions League final - the Spaniard quickly changed his mind.
"I would add and most probably give it to Courtois. Insane season," Fabregas tweeted shortly after Real Madrid had won their 14th title.
Courtois - who missed out on the Ballon d'Or in question to his teammate Karim Benzema - had the opportunity to impress again for Real Madrid against Liverpool in the Champions League this Tuesday.
But the Belgian let himself down in the first leg of the last-16 at Anfield on Tuesday as he dropped an absolute clanger to gift Liverpool a goal.
After the Reds took the lead in just four minutes Courtois attempted to clear a loose ball but knocked it into the path of Salah with his knee.
The Egyptian didn't need to be asked twice to take the opportunity and swiftly buried the ball past the Real Madrid keeper, who looked thoroughly embarrassed.
Fortunately for Courtois, his Real Madrid teammates had his back and the Spaniards quickly set about turning the tie around in style.
Vinicius Jr netted a double before half-time so both sides went into the break level.
Eder Militao then scored a bullet header from a free-kick early on in the second half before Ballon d'Or winner Benzema bagged himself a brace.
Real take a 5-2 lead with them back to the Bernabeu for the second leg of the last-16, and are very strong favourites to progress to the quarter-finals.
