Courtois: 'I think I'm not nominated for best goalkeeper because I criticized UEFA'
During the presser ahead of the Sheriff Tiraspol game, Thibaut Courtois was asked whether he was angry that he wasn't nominated for The Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper award.
"Individual awards are not as important as collective awards. I would prefer to win the Champions League," the Real Madrid shot-stopper said.
"I think I'm not nominated for FIFA The Best due to what I said a month ago (about UEFA and the schedule). I won't say more."
As a reminder, Courtois criticized the international bodies back in October after having to play a third-place match in the Nations League with Belgium.
The five goalkeepers that have been nominated for the award are Alisson Becker, Gianluigi Donnarumma, Edouard Mendy, Manuel Neuer and Kasper Schmeichel.
Courtois' exclusion does look strange if you consider the season he had on the individual level. Last term, the 29-year-old played 51 matches for Real Madrid, conceded just 44 goals and kept 21 clean sheets while pulling off some spectacular saves.
Source: UEFA (h/t MadridXtra @ Twitter)