Just before his 23rd birthday, he, born into a goalkeeper family, received a "gift" that could ruin his career.

Written by Han Bing On March 13, Tottenham's Czech goalkeeper Jinsky will turn 23, but two days earlier in his Champions League debut, he received a "birthday gift" that could ruin his career. Jinsky set a Champions League record he never wanted: he is the goalkeeper who conceded three goals earliest in Champions League knockout history (15 minutes), and also the goalkeeper substituted earliest for technical reasons (17th minute).

Before the match, Tottenham coach Tudor announced that substitute goalkeeper Jinsky would start, emphasizing this was Tottenham's "strongest lineup." But when Jinsky was substituted due to two fatal errors leading to goals, Tudor didn't even glance at him. Tudor's post-match explanation was more like adding fuel to the fire than consolation: "In hindsight, it was a wrong decision, but before the match it was the right decision. I've coached for 15 years and never substituted a goalkeeper before 30 minutes. Substituting him was to protect the player and the team, because the situation was too bad."

Former Manchester City goalkeeper Hart, serving as a commentary guest, immediately defended Jinsky: "This breaks my heart, even the Tottenham fans on site sympathized with him. Tudor even ignored the young man he hastily pushed into the starting lineup. Such things shouldn't happen at any level of league."

Former Tottenham goalkeeper Robinson criticized Tudor for not considering the young goalkeeper's feelings: "If you let him start, why substitute him so early? He was chosen by the coach to play, but after mistakes, the coach abandoned him. The coach should support the player, but Tudor acted as if nothing happened." Tottenham teammates Palhinha and Gallagher both went to comfort Jinsky, and even Spanish goalkeeper De Gea sent a supportive message to Jinsky on social media after the match.

Jinsky reminds people of Liverpool goalkeeper Karius in the 2018 Champions League final, whose two mistakes cost the team the trophy and his career never recovered. Tudor refused to explain why he started Jinsky in the Champions League. Tottenham's main goalkeeper Vicario had two major errors in the 1-3 home loss to Crystal Palace last Thursday, which was considered a reasonable reason for Tudor to change goalkeepers. But Tottenham fans and British media suspect that Vicario, who requested a transfer, has a broken relationship with the club's management, and missing the start is more a "disciplinary punishment" than technical reasons.

Jinsky comes from a goalkeeper family. He shares the same name with his father, who is now 51 and was a goalkeeper for the Czech national team, won the Czech league championship, and reached the semifinals of the 2004 European Championship. Young Jinsky has been regarded as the most talented goalkeeper of his generation in Czech since childhood, recognized by legendary goalkeeper Čech, and was among the four candidates for Czech Footballer of the Year in 2024.

Early last year, before turning 22, he was bought by Tottenham for a high price of 16.5 million euros, surpassing famous players like Rosický and Souček, breaking the Czech league transfer fee record. But after more than a year at Tottenham, Jinsky rarely had playing opportunities. Last season Tottenham won the Europa League, Jinsky didn't qualify for a medal because he never played, but the club specially secured one for him. In the last two transfer windows, Jinsky applied for loans but was rejected. Before this disgraceful record in Champions League history, he only started twice in the League Cup.

After this disastrous Champions League performance, people don't want to see a second Karius. Manchester United legendary goalkeeper Schmeichel condemned Tudor for ruining Jinsky's career, while the Czech goalkeeper originally dreamed of joining Real Madrid. Professor Ryan from Wolverhampton University's sports psychology department believes Jinsky should receive necessary psychological intervention to help him escape the nightmare. Tottenham teammate Richarlison, four years ago at the Qatar World Cup, even considered retirement. He received professional psychological treatment after the match to overcome the gloom.

Like Richarlison, in Iniesta's autobiography published in 2016, the Spanish star first revealed: after his friend Halcke died suddenly from heart disease in 2010, he was in long-term depression and had to seek psychological help from Barcelona's team doctor. In 2024, Arsenal legend Henry also first disclosed that his career was plagued by long-term depression. According to FIFPRO data, 38% of players have experienced depressive symptoms. More players admit mental health affected their performance and feel they received far insufficient psychological help during their careers.

For Tottenham club, the most important thing now is how to help Jinsky, this goalkeeper who should have been promising, recover timely from this disastrous mistake, rather than being ruthlessly abandoned as a scapegoat. Fortunately, support from goalkeeper predecessors and Tottenham fans has temporarily brought warmth to the Czech youngster. He thanked the encouragement from the outside on his personal social media: "From dream, to nightmare, to dream again. See you later!" But whether he can truly digest this terrible memory that could ruin his career is ultimately a life test he must face.