Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has been roundly criticised for his controversial comments ahead of the Champions League final by former Atletico Madrid teammate Koke.
The Belgium international, 30, spent three seasons on loan from Chelsea at Atletico between 2011 and 2014 but enraged the Spanish club's fans before Saturday night's showdown with Liverpool. In a confident declaration in his pre-match press conference, Courtois said: "They've [ Liverpool ] already played one final against Madrid in 2018.
"It was different for me. Real Madrid, when they play a final, they win it, and so now I'm on the right side of history." The shot-stopper was vindicated for his prediction as he produced a stunning, man-of-the-match performance to help Los Blancos clinch their 14th European crown, with Vinicius Junior sinking Liverpool by scoring the final's only goal.
