Thursday, 2nd October, 2014
Chelsea captain John Terry has defended his infamous Champions League final celebration – two years after his team lifted the trophy.
The centre-back was pictured wearing his full Chelsea kit whilst holding the cup in 2012, despite the fact he had been suspended for the final and had not set foot on the pitch; since then he has been the target of many internet jokes, mocking him as a gatecrasher.
But Terry, who completed his 100th Champions League game against Sporting Lisbon on Tuesday, has now hit back at his critics, insisting that there was nothing wrong with him wearing his Chelsea kit whilst the team celebrated, as he had played an important role in reaching the tournament's final, which the Blues won after beating Bayern Munich in their own stadium in a nerve-wretching penalty shootout.
"Because it’s me, people say ‘he’s not won it’", the 34-year-old was quoted as saying by ITV.
"I know people like to have their digs and their pops over that, but I know I played a huge part along the way, in the dressing room and on the field – so I count myself to have won it.
“The biggest night ever for the club and I didn’t play in it", he added. "But I’ve played in one final [in 2008] and in 2012 I still felt a massive part of it all and the players made me feel a big part.
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"No one speaks about the other ten players who weren’t on the pitch that night as well. Maybe that’s me and that’s where I am at as a player.”
After two games, Chelsea are top of their Champions League group having beaten Sporting Lisbon 1-0 and drawn with Schalke. Their next Champions League game will be against Slovenian champions Maribor, who they will host on 21st October.
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