Scott Carson hilariously told a critic to 'do his research' after they claimed that the third-choice Manchester City goalkeeper didn't deserve to be given another Champions League winners' medal.
Carson, 37, watched from the bench as City edged Inter Milan 1-0 in a cagey and competitive final on Saturday, completing an historic treble. Unlike the Premier League, who rule that a player must make at least five appearances during the campaign in order to be eligible, UEFA allow winning teams to hand out 40 gold medals.
So, having been a regular member of the squad throughout City's incredible treble triumph, Carson was awarded his second Champions League winners' medal at the Ataturk Stadium in Istanbul - the same place where he won his first. The former England international was part of the Liverpool side who famously triumphed there in 2005, although not everyone agrees that he should boast the double honour.
"Scott Carson. Twice champions league winner without playing a minute," one Twitter user wrote shortly after City were crowned kings of Europe for the first in their history.
Having been tagged in the tweet, Carson wrote back amid the boozy celebrations: "90 minutes quarter-final do your research lad," referencing his appearance as Liverpool beat Juventus 2-1 in a first-leg tie 18 years ago. His response left team-mate Jack Grealish in stitches, quoting the goalkeeper's reply with a series of laughing emojis.
Have your say! Do you think Scott Carson deserved a second medal? Let us know your stance in the comments section.
Carson, who has a contract until June 2024, has only ever played two games for City, despite spending three seasons with them. The first was a 4-3 victory over Newcastle in May 2021 after the Citizens had already been crowned Premier League champions, and his latest came in March of last year when he made a 17-minute cameo in the Champions League round-of-16 against Sporting Lisbon.
Carson is a beloved figure at the Etihad, with his jolly character keeping spirits high, particularly in the goalkeeping department thanks to his relationship with first-choice shot-stopper Ederson and understudy Stefan Ortega. In 2022, boss Pep Guardiola heaped praise on the 37-year-old, telling City's youngsters to look up to him.
"The best advice I could give to the young players is to stay around Scott Carson as much as possible in the locker room and on the pitch," Guardiola declared. "It would be better than being with me. If they spend a lot of time [with him], listen to him and pay attention, that is the best advice and learning they can get about their future careers.
“Every second he is training and every minute you get on the pitch and in the changing room [with Carson], you value. It's like the young actors have to be with the old actors on the set. They are wiser and have the values of the profession."
It's safe to say that Guardiola agrees with him getting another medal.
