Thibaut Courtois receives goalkeeper of the year award for the year 2018.
The International Football Federation of Football History and Statistics (IFFHS) conducted a survey for the best player in each position. Thibaut Courtois was able to beat every other shot-stopper in the world to claim the best goalkeeper of the year award for the year 2018.
Football experts across 90 countries took part in the voting process that saw the Belgian International receive 181 votes, according to IFFHS. There is no doubt about his exceptional World Cup performance, but his stints with Chelsea and Real Madrid have been moderate, to say the least.
The former Chelsea goalkeeper helped his side Belgium finished third in the World Cup, but he has been underwhelming with the Los Blancos upon his arrival and has not done enough to warrant a spot over the reigning Champions League winner Keylor Navas.
World Cup winner and Skipper Hugo Lloris was voted as the second best goalkeeper with 109 votes, whilst Paris Saint-Germain’s Gianluigi Buffon is the next in the line by securing 59 votes.
Costa Rican International Keylor Navas comes fourth in the list with 58 votes followed by Marc-Andre Ter Stegen and Jan Oblak with 49 votes in joint fifth.
In the Los Blancos website, they said that Courtois had a great 2018 who helped his country secure third place in the World Cup and helped his clubs Chelsea and Real Madrid lift the FA Cup and Club World Cup during this period.
For his standout performance at Russia in the World Cup, Courtois won the Golden Glove award for ‘Best Goalkeeper of the tournament’ award. Despite the fact that Manchester United’s shot-stopper David De Gea was named in the FIFA FIFPro World 11, Thibaut Courtois managed to somehow win the Best FIFA Goalkeeper of the year award.
Upon signing for Real Madrid last summer, Florentino Perez said that the Los Blancos have signed the best goalkeeper in the world. Well, his claim did not go for a toss.
“One of the best goalkeepers in the world arrives in Madrid, if not the best.
“Today is once again a day in which Real Madrid are happy for the incorporation of a new player, coming to Madrid at the age of 26, but with a lot of experience in European football.
“At just 19 years old he was the youngest goalkeeper to make his debut with Belgium, they all have agreed on how important Courtois was for Belgium to be third in the World Cup.
“Today is a great day, the best goalkeeper of the last World Cup comes to our club, we welcome Thibaut Courtois.” said Perez.
Can Real Madrid win the Champions for the fourth consecutive time with Thibaut Courtois between the sticks?
