Tottenham’s young Czech keeper Antonin Kinsky endured a Champions League nightmare in Madrid, leading to an early substitution
Antonin Kinsky’s career at Tottenham Hotspur hit a devastating roadblock on Tuesday night in Madrid, as a series of high-profile errors led to one of the earliest tactical goalkeeping substitutions in Champions League history.
The young Czech international, who joined with high expectations from Slavia Prague, found himself at the centre of a nightmare during his first European start of the current campaign.
Tuesday night’s Champions League round of 16 first leg against Atlético Madrid was intended to be Kinsky’s platform to challenge Guglielmo Vicario for the starting spot.
Instead, the match turned into a catastrophe within six minutes when Kinsky slipped while attempting a routine clearance, allowing Marcos Llorente to open the scoring.
By the 15th minute, the scoreline sat at 3-0 after Kinsky scuffed a goal kick directly to Julián Alvarez, who easily converted into an empty net.
“He was sorry,” Tudor said after the game. “He made an excuse for the team. The team is with him. Me too. I was speaking with him. He understands the moment. He understands why he came out.
“So, as I said before, he is a very good goalkeeper. We are all together. It is not about one player. So, it has happened. Champions League again. These things.”
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Visibly distraught, Kinsky was withdrawn by the coaching staff in the 17th minute, a rare tactical move for a goalkeeper so early in a knockout match.
“It happened very rare things in my coaching 15 years, I never do that,” Tudor added.
“It was necessary to preserve the guy, to preserve the team. Incredible situation, nothing to comment, you will see. It was, before the game, the right choice to do in the moment like we are.”
Antonin Kinsky age
Born on March 13, 2003, Kinsky is 22 years old. He took his first footballing steps at Tempo Prague before spells at Bohemians 1905 and Dukla Prague. Kinsky joined Slavia Prague in 2025 and spent two seasons on loan at Vyškov and Pardubice.
Antonin Kinsky salary
Kinsky is currently signed to a long-term deal at Tottenham Hotspur that extends through June 2031. He earns a reported annual salary of approximately £1.2 million, which equates to roughly £23,000 per week.
How tall is Kinsky?
Kinsky stands at 190 cm, which is approximately 6’3″. This physical profile was a primary reason for Tottenham’s recruitment department targeting him, as his height and wingspan are viewed as essential tools for commanding the penalty area in the physical environment of English football.
West Ham Antonin Kinsky transfer
During the January 2026 transfer window, Kinsky was the subject of intense speculation regarding a move to West Ham.
Reports suggested a potential swap deal was on the table involving West Ham’s Mads Hermansen moving to Spurs, but the negotiations ultimately stalled before the deadline, leaving Kinsky to fight for his place in North London.
