After arriving from Spanish giants Barcelona in the summer of 2016, Claudio Bravo's £17 million transfer to Manchester City has been labelled 'a disaster' in the past 10 months or so, and for good reason.
Bravo's performances under Pep Guardiola have been below par to say the least and as a result, plenty of football fans have jumped to criticise the Chilean number one.
But all that changed during last night's Confederations Cup semi-final against Portugal.
Advert
Chile goalkeeper Claudio Bravo make a save in the shoot-out of the Confederations Cup, semi-final between Portugal and Chile, at the Kazan Arena, Russia. Image: PA
The 34-year-old's heroics in the penalty shootout gave Chile a pass to the final, which resulted in a rare moment of joy for the Manchester City goalkeeper.
Bravo remarkably saved penalty kicks from Ricardo Quaresma, Joao Moutinho and Nani to send Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal packing.
Shortly after the goalkeeper's three magnificent saves, a stat emerged on social media that quickly went viral.
Advert
Bravo celebrates victory with Gary Medel after the FIFA Confederations Cup 2017 semi-final. Image: PA
Despite making 22 appearances for Manchester City last season, Claudio Bravo made as many saves in the penalty shootout against Portugal as in the Premier League in 2017 (3).
That means that In the space of a few minutes, Bravo saved as many shots in the FIFA Confederations Cup semi-final than in hundreds of minutes of Premier League football this year.
Mind blown.
After the game, Bravo insisted that Chile's penalty shootout heroics was down to hard work and study:
Advert
"I don't think it's only chance. I think you need to work a lot, you need to study your opponent. I think we played with our heads. We were quite tired at the end but playing with our heads as well as our hearts.
"I knew what I had to do. Of course we're very happy because we've been able to stop the European champions.
"Portugal had many chances to score. I think the game was quite balanced. Both teams showed great respect for the other.
"The secret, I think, is that we never stop believing in ourselves and we want to do everything we can to win. We still have one more game to win."
Advert
Image: PA
Portugal manager, Fernando Santos, was complimentary of Manchester City goalkeeper Bravo during his comments after the game:
"Their goalkeeper was fantastic. I always defend my players, that is my responsibility, given I chose them to score the penalties."
it was certainly a great spectacle for the neutral, perhaps not the Portuguese support.
Advert
Do you think Claudio Bravo will come back better and stronger under Pep Guardiola next season? Should Manchester City give the 34-year-old a chance to prove himself?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
Featured Image Credit: