In every squad that wins a trophy there are players who have contributed less than the star players, or the guy who got the winning goal in the final, but at the same time, you can't win anything at the top level of football without depth in the squad and everyone pulling towards the same goal.
The position of backup goalkeeper can be a slightly awkward one, as while they are an important part of the squad they can often win a medal without playing much at all in the tournament, and while some wouldn't care and be absolutely delighted with something to add to their trophy cabinet (and with good reason, they did earn it after all), there are others who don't feel like it is something they should celebrate.
In an interview with The Guardian, former Liverpool keeper Scott Carson has explained that he didn't believe he deserved his 2005 Champions League medal ahead of Chris Kirkland, who played more games in the tournament but was not in the squad for the final.
When we got the medals, I tried to give mine to Chris. He played more games in the group stages than me. So I felt that he deserved it more.
But Chris, as anyone who knows him will say, is a really nice lad and he said: ‘No. You were on the bench, you played your part as well.’ Obviously I’m delighted I’ve got it, but I think a medal is a lot more valuable to you if you played. For me, just to witness that night was good enough.
That is, if nothing else, extremely sound by Scott Carson.
Neither he, nor Kirkland, will be too fondly remembered for their performances in a Liverpool jersey, but both went on to play for England and enjoy decent careers in English football.
Now playing for Derby where he is lucky enough to have Richard Keogh in front of him, Carson is one of the very few goalkeepers to have played in the Championship with a Champions League medal waiting for them at home, and that experience is something he will never forget as he got to go up against the one and only Gigi Buffon.
Buffon was in goal for them. I remember I was in awe of him when I was standing next to him in the tunnel. I got his shirt – that had pride of place. He was one of my heroes growing up.
Ibrahimovic played, Del Piero, Nedved … it was like playing one of the old style computer games, then all of a sudden you’re up against them, it was just surreal.
Fair play to him, his selflessness in acknowledging that Kirkland was more deserving than him shows a humility that you don't see too often in footballers at that level.
