Real Madrid goalkeeper Courtois is the 2022 Machine Trophy winner
Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has been awarded the Yashin Trophy for the best goalkeeper of the 2021-22 season.
Courtois is just the third recipient of the award, which was first handed out in 2019, after Alisson Becker and Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Benzema invites his mum and his son on stage 🥰#ballondor pic.twitter.com/gSWqtL6ZaO
— Ballon d'Or #ballondor (@francefootball) October 17, 2022
“To be part of this team, last year was amazing, for me especially. I’m proud to win this trophy with all the amazing goalkeepers there.
“I want to thank my family as well, it’s easy when things go well but harder when things don’t go so well, and they’re the first to pick you up.”
Courtois added that the World Cup trophy was next on his wishlist, with Belgium in Group F along with Croatia, Canada, and Morocco
THIBAUT COURTOIS IS THE 2022 YACHINE TROPHY WINNER!@realmadrid#TrophéeYachine #balondor pic.twitter.com/llvIhMm1iz
— Ballon d'Or #ballondor (@francefootball) October 17, 2022
Sixteen clean sheets in La Liga had helped Real Madrid win the league title by 13 points ahead of Barcelona.
Courtois was also the highest-ranked goalkeeper in the Ballon d’Or shortlist, finishing in seventh.
The 30-year-old was one of just two ‘keepers nominated in the 30-man shortlists for France Football’s coveted prize, along with AC Milan’s Mike Maignan.
Earlier on Monday, it was confirmed Maignan finished joint 25th.
YASHIN TROPHY RANKINGS
10. Hugo Lloris (Tottenham)
9. Yassine Bounou (Sevilla)
8. Jan Oblak (Atletico Madrid)
7. Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich)
6. Kevin Trapp (Eintracht Frankfurt)
5. Mike Maignan (AC Milan)
4. Edouard Mendy (Chelsea)
3. Ederson (Manchester City)
2. Alisson (Liverpool)
1. Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid)