Tottenham Hotspur’s Harry Kane came under heavy criticism after his team lost the Champions League final to Liverpool on Saturday.
Coach Mauricio Pochettino picked the England striker ahead of Lucas Moura who scored a hat-trick in the North London club’s semi-final comeback victory over Ajax.
Kane, who had not played since April 9 when he again damaged lateral ligaments in his left ankle in the quarter-final first-leg against Manchester City played the full 90 minutes while Moura started on the bench.
It was not until the 66th minute that Moura was called for with Pochettino bringing off Harry Winks who had been the other Spurs injury gamble given this was his first game since undergoing groin surgery.
The match ended 2-0 in favour of Liverpool with goals from Mohamed Salah and Divock Origi making the Reds winners of Europe’s biggest club prize for the sixth time.
Kane was not spared by those who blame him and Pochettino for the loss.