James Maddison puts Roy Keane in awkward spot and savages Jamie Carragher

James Maddison found himself at the heart of post-match banter after Tottenham’s dramatic Europa League final victory over Manchester United, delivering a cheeky but entertaining interview that left pundit Roy Keane momentarily lost for words.

Although Maddison wasn’t part of the action on the pitch due to injury, he didn’t miss the opportunity to bask in Tottenham’s first trophy in 17 years and to address one of his more vocal critics in the process.

The final in Bilbao saw Spurs claim a narrow but historic 1-0 win thanks to Brennan Johnson’s first-half effort.

The forward’s quick reaction turned a low cross into a decisive goal, with a bit of fortune on his side as the ball took a deflection off Luke Shaw before slipping past goalkeeper Andre Onana.

While Johnson grabbed the headlines for his contribution, Maddison’s role in the victory was no less significant in the build-up to the final, having played a major part in Tottenham’s European campaign before his injury.

After the final whistle, the England midfielder made a surprise appearance on CBS Sports’ post-match broadcast, clearly reveling in the triumph.

With a playful grin, Maddison opened with a pointed comment aimed at Keane: “I wasn’t gonna do any interviews but I heard Roy Keane was in the studio tonight!” The studio panel, including Micah Richards and Jamie Carragher, burst into laughter, enjoying the unexpected confrontation.

Richards, known for stirring up light-hearted moments, encouraged Maddison to perform his signature darts celebration—something Keane had previously mocked.

Maddison obliged with gusto, looking directly into the camera and saying, “Oh I will, Micah, with pleasure—Roy Keane, that’s for you, son!” It was a bold, cheeky move that underlined the midfielder’s confidence and sense of humor.

Keane, never one to shy away from a comeback, tried to save face with a witty retort: “I’ve always said he’s a good player, he needs to be more consistent, simple as that. And he played well tonight.”

The line about Maddison playing well, despite not featuring in the match, brought more laughter, but Maddison responded just as sharply. “I’m the reason we’re here tonight, Roy,” he said, half-joking, half-serious. Keane, to his credit, softened and replied, “Don’t worry, I know you played your part. Well done.”

The exchange was one of the most talked-about moments from the broadcast, not only for its entertainment value but also for how it reflected Maddison’s personality—confident, quick-witted, and never afraid to respond to criticism with charm and humor.

He went on to speak sincerely about what winning the Europa League meant to him and the club, explaining that criticism from the media and pundits had been a motivating factor. According to Maddison, it pushed the team to prove doubters wrong and finally put years of disappointment behind them.

As the conversation wound down, Richards asked Maddison who his favorite pundit was among the panel.

With a grin, Maddison looked around and asked, “Roy’s not a regular, is he?” prompting Jamie Carragher to jump in with a quick dig: “Bit like you at Spurs!” Without missing a beat, Maddison fired back: “Turned up in all the big ones, Carra. You go and check your stats.” The response sent the entire studio into another fit of laughter.

Before leaving to join the team’s celebrations, Maddison made sure to name Richards as his favorite pundit, then signed off saying he was off to “enjoy a beer.”

The moment encapsulated everything fans love about Maddison: a blend of footballing talent, emotional honesty, and a genuine connection to the game’s lighter side.

His post-match appearance became a highlight in its own right, showing that even off the pitch, he remains one of the sport’s most engaging figures.