Thierry Henry hit back by declaring "you can't say they were lucky" after Jamie Carragher claimed Real Madrid were fortuitous in their run to Champions League glory last season.
The two popular pundits looked back at a riveting 2021/22 knockout stage during which Los Blancos eliminated Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea and Manchester City before defeating Liverpool in the final. The strength of the teams Carlo Ancelotti's side toppled on their way to a 14th continental crown makes their success one of the greatest achievements of the Champions League era in the eyes of many fans - but Carragher is not convinced.
The Anfield legend highlighted that it took a late collapse by PSG, extra-time heroics from Karim Benzema against Chelsea and an astonishing capitulation from City for Real Madrid to reach the final. And at Stade de France last May, the Spanish giants had Thibaut Courtois to thank for his brilliant performance in goal as they defeated Liverpool 1-0.
Carragher believes the nature of each of Real Madrid's two-legged triumphs, as well as their victory in the final, made them "one of the luckiest teams to ever win the Champions League". He interjected as CBS Sports presenter Kate Abdo drew attention to last season's knockout stage to assess: "I must say - sorry for interrupting - I think Real Madrid last year are one of the luckiest teams to ever win the Champions League.
"PSG, they scored two goals with seven minutes to go. Chelsea, they took them to extra time. Man City, they scored two in the last minute. And in the final, Courtois was Man of the Match."
Henry took a completely different view from Carragher's, insisting: "When you see that run, you can't say they (Real Madrid) were lucky. Football is 90-plus minutes; if you have enough time, you can score."
Carragher and Henry were speaking before the first leg of the Champions League last-16 tie between Liverpool and Real Madrid at Anfield on Tuesday night. There was nothing lucky about the way Los Blancos came from two goals down to hammer the Reds 5-2, leaving Arsenal legend Henry admitting it is the "end of an era" for Jurgen Klopp's side.
Do you agree with Jamie Carragher or Thierry Henry? Have your say in the comments!
"Something needs to change," he said after witnessing Liverpool's disastrous defensive display. "I don't think Klopp needs to go, but some of the players don't have the level anymore to play for Liverpool. I think it's the end of an era and it's been like that this season.
It happens. I'm not having a go at Liverpool but you have to - as we say in France - call a cat a cat. They're eighth, they're not playing well, they're conceding a lot. We all love what they did but you also have to say when some things are not going right."
