Courtois responds to talkSPORT presenter after comparisons to Man United No.1 De Gea

Champions League winning goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has shut down talkSPORT host Mark Goldbridge who criticised the Real Madrid superstar on Twitter.

The former Chelsea and Atletico Madrid No.1 was the man of the match as Madrid defeated Liverpool in the European Cup final in Paris, making a pair of stunning stops to deny Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah.

The Belgian finally took his first Champions League title at the age of 30, and called for respect from England, having played at Stamford Bridge between 2014 and 2018.

Speaking post-match, Courtois said: “Today I needed to win a final for my career, for all of the hard work, to put the respect on my name.

“I don’t think I get the respect, especially in England because I get a lot of criticism even after a great season and saying I was not good enough or whatever.”

Despite Courtois proving to many Premier League watchers that he is one of the very best goalkeepers in the world, Manchester United fan Goldbridge was still unimpressed, comparing him unfavourably to United’s David de Gea.

Spain manager Luis Enrqiue had explained why he continues to snub De Gea for the national team saying he needs goalkeepers to ‘generate superiority’ and dominate aerial play’.

Goldbridge came to the defence of United’s No.1, at the expense of Courtois.

He wrote: “All these [Spain coach Luis] Enrique quotes about De Gea…Dave just won player’s player of the year.

“Courtois won man of the match in a UCL final and isn’t quick off his line or good with his feet. A keeper’s first job is to save goals and we have one of the best in the business.”

The talkSPORT host would have been shocked to see his inbox blowing up shortly after posting the opinion, though, with Courtois quickly hitting back.

The Belgian posted three images of him coming off his line to deny Liverpool in the final, out-jumping 6ft 4in defender Ibrahima Konate who has proved to be a threat from set pieces.

The images came with a shrugging emoji, with Courtois then clarifying his reply wasn’t a slant and De Gea, and also why he posted it.

“I was just answering the fact, that I don’t collect crosses. I would never talk bad about another goalie,” he said to one follower.

And when another asked why he responded, Courtois replied: “We just love the banter mate.”

Goldbridge quickly showed that no offence was intended though, thanking the Real Madrid man for downing rivals Liverpool.

“Thanks for the MOTM performance against Liverpool from all United fans,” he wrote.

The YouTuber then clarified his comments, explaining that he was saying shot-stopping is more important that ball distribution, but Courtois still wasn’t happy.

He replied: “Well, it still just shows you haven’t watched me play since I left Chelsea. As this year all the build up starts with me. I am not the best, but certainly not how you put me down.”

Courtois is a rare world-class footballer who regularly interacts with followers online, and has once again shown how the platforms can be used for healthy debate, even if you don’t agree.