How many titles did Real Madrid and Thibaut Courtois win in 2022?

The best goalkeeper in the world is called Thibaut Courtois. His outstanding saves were not only essential in helping Real Madrid to four trophies in 2022 -  the Champions League, their 35th LaLiga title, the Spanish Super Cup and the European Super Cup – but also won him several individual accolades, including the Yashin Trophy for the best goalkeeper on the planet. At the age of 30, Tibu is at the peak of his powers. His penalty save from Lionel Messi against Paris Saint-Germain in Paris, which laid the foundations for Los Blancos’ 14th European Cup/Champions League victory in the French capital two months later, will go down in history. It was Courtois’ first time winning the trophy he had always dreamed of getting his hands on when he was growing up in the Belgian city of Bree, where a Real Madrid flag decorated the walls of his bedroom. Fast forward a few years and Courtois is now a key figure for Los Blancos, who know they have the safest pair of hands around in goal.

The Belgian shot stopper was unable to attend the gala at the Westin Palace Hotel due to illness but received a round of applause from the rest of the guests when his award was announced, the second of the night. Manager Carlo Ancelotti, also an award winner, collected it on his player’s behalf.

Will Thibaut Courtois play for Real Madrid against Real Valladolid?

“Tibu had a fantastic season, like the rest of the team. Football is not that complicated. When you have a goalkeeper who stops everything and a striker who scores, you have a great chance of winning. And last year we had that,” explained the Italian, who apologised for Courtois’ absence. “He has a fever. If everything goes well over Christmas, he’ll be OK to play on the 30th against Valladolid,” concluded the Madrid coach.

Courtois’ absence meant the Real Madrid contingent headlining the gala dropped from three to two, with Ancelotti and basketball player Rudy Fernández left to represent Los Blancos, who were indebted to their goalkeeper on various occasions over the course of the 2021-22 season. The highest profile game was the Champions League final against Liverpool in Paris, in which Courtois was named MVP having made a record nine saves, more any other goalkeeper in a Champions League final. The Belgian frustrated Mohammed Salah and Sadio Mané time and again and enabled Real Madrid to leave the Stade de France as the kings of Europe. He also performed exceptionally in LaLiga in a season which started with him extending his deal until 2026 and ended in Cibeles. An average of 0.8 goals conceded per match and clean sheets in 14 league games.

Courtois is therefore the deserving winner of the AS Goalkeeper of the Year Award, which he receives with his return to action with Real Madrid imminent, on Friday 30 December in Valladolid. It will be the last game of 2022, a year which will end with Courtois raising a glass to toast not only the New Year but also his incredible achievements.