The plaque commemorating Thibaut Courtois’ time at Atletico Madrid has been vandalised outside the Wanda Metropolitano ahead of today’s derby against Real Madrid.
Like every other player who has represented Atletico in 100 official games or more, the Belgian goalkeeper has his own plaque outside the stadium in an area called the ‘Walk of Legends’.
The plaque was vandalised in the summer after Courtois’ move from Chelsea to Real Madrid and is given similar treatment in every home game.
Ahead of Saturday’s Madrid derby, it has covered in graffiti reading “rat”, as well as empty beer cans, toy rats and, bizarrely, a box of Marks and Spencer’s shortbread.
The box features an image of a deer and it would appear to be placed there because of the large horns (cuernos), a symbol of being unfaithful in Spanish.
Courtois starts in goal for Real today in his first appearance at the Wanda Metropolitano and is set to receive a hostile reception from the home fans.
