N’Golo Kante’s reacts to Chelsea Champions League victory (photo, video)
N’Golo Kante delivered a man of the match display in Chelsea’s Champions League final win, then showed his humble side when he encountered the famous trophy.
N'Golo Kanté. Magnifique! 🌟#UCLPOTM | #UCLfinal pic.twitter.com/r4p3Y6LvYF
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) May 29, 2021
🔝 N'Golo Kanté:
𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵 🆚 Manchester City, final
𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵 🆚 Real Madrid, semi-finals
𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵 🆚 Real Madrid, semi-finals
𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵 🆚 Atlético, round of 16#UCL pic.twitter.com/SJt6Biy8j4— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) May 30, 2021
The 5ft 6in midfield dynamo covered every blade of in Chelsea’s 1-0 win over Manchester City, proving impossible to pass and even winning the most aerial duels for his side. Remarkable.
🇫🇷 N'Golo Kanté since 2016:
Champions League 🏆
Europa League 🏆
Premier League 🏆🏆
FA Cup 🏆
World Cup 🏆#UCL | #UCLfinal pic.twitter.com/rLGRrqzS3A— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) May 30, 2021
But as his Chelsea teammates received their medals and walked past the Champions League trophy, each one stopped to plant a kiss on it. Everybody, that is, except Kante: who just gave it a shy, awkward pat with both hands and carried on walking.
Your 2020/21 Champions League winners…
🔵 CHELSEA! 🔵
Enjoy that trophy 👏👏👏#UCLfinal pic.twitter.com/9Qs44ow8tH
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) May 29, 2021
It was a typically modest moment that sums up the France international, who’s now a World Cup, Premier League and Champions League winner – but who never looks to own the limelight, despite his match-winning displays.
I knew Kante would not kiss that trophy 😀😀. Congratulations to Chelsea FC and all fans around the world. pic.twitter.com/69SLH9ZiQy
— Okiki ♂️🇳🇬 🇩🇪 (@behemhef) May 29, 2021
This is a player who left Stamford Bridge in a Mini Cooper after he helped get Chelsea to this final by defeating Real Madrid. Just one of numerous examples of Kante’s self-effacing nature.
The box-to-box midfielder was the best player on the pitch on Saturday night in Porto, but he was the most reserved when finally faced with one of the few major trophies he’d never won before.
I swear Kante is the best human on earth 😂😂 pic.twitter.com/ODEQ2VpOZv
— VP (@VPinthecut) May 29, 2021
At least his family showed the full extent of their emotions when his mum came on the pitch to embrace Kante in a warm hug in the aftermath of the game.
Hope we can all make our mum proud the way Kante has, this is so wholesome
pic.twitter.com/LfpQ8thqbI— Yahya 🇵🇸 (@CFCYahya) May 29, 2021
We also know his Chelsea colleagues were keen to show their appreciation of him, as Kante was carried around the pitch at full-time.
Kante didn't kiss the cup… How humble can someone be🥺😭#UCLfinal #Chelsea pic.twitter.com/UZeJJi4WpI
— hilal ka ni? (@inibukanhilal) May 29, 2021
LETS GO KANTE!!!!!! ❤️🥺 pic.twitter.com/JM60FO6MXh
— CaptainLevi (@MonzyTweetThis) May 29, 2021
Read Also: Chelsea star shaves off beard on live TV after UCL Final bet
Kai Havertz netted the game’s only goal, rounding Ederson to score after City’s defence left him in acres of space.
But it was Kante’s individual display that will live long in the memory, despite his lack of desire to draw attention to himself when it comes to the game’s silverware and post-match glory.