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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Advert
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.
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.
We also know his Chelsea colleagues were keen to show their appreciation of him, as Kante was carried around the pitch at full-time.
Kai Havertz netted the game's only goal, rounding Ederson to score after City's defence left him in acres of space.
Advert
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.
Featured image credit: BT Sport/Twitter
Featured Image Credit:Topics: Chelsea, Champions League, N'Golo Kante
