Thibaut Courtois celebrated winning La Liga with over 100,000 supporters on the streets of Madrid but looks increasingly likely to be contesting the Premier League with Chelsea next season.
‘I will miss all this the day I have to say goodbye,’ he said after Atletico Madrid’s draw with Barcelona won them the Spanish title.
‘I have built-up a very good relationship with the supporters in the three years that I have been here. I never imagined this would happen when I arrived at the club.’
Celebrations: Thibaut Courtois leads celebrations of thousands of Atletico fans in the Spanish capital
Lining the streets: The supporters were out in force to see the newly crowned Spanish champions
Selfie: The Belgian goalkeeper posted this picture to his Instagram page
Flares: Atletico fans let off red flares in Neptuno square
Jubilant: Atletico won their first La Liga title in 18 years with a draw against Barcelona in the Nou Camp
IIt’s little wonder Chelsea want their 22-year-old keeper back, he has now gone seven straight games without being scored against by Leo Messi. The previous record was six held by Petr Cech the man Courtois could replace next season.
Messi was jeered off by angry Barcelona supporters unhappy with his no-show in the biggest game of the season just 24-hours after the club confirmed they would be making him the best paid player on the planet with a contract renewal.
Courtois was beaten in the first half of Saturday’s title decider by Alexis Sanchez but an equaliser from Diego Godin ensured that he won his second league title – three years ago to the day he won the Belgian League with Genk.
‘I want to win next week in Lisbon in the Champions League final and then I’m off to Brazil. The last three years have been incredible,’ he added.
Climbing high: Atletico Madrid captain Gabi even climbed on top of the Neptuno statue and tied a scarf
Mastermind: League winning manager Diego Simeone is hurled into the air by his players
He was hugged by a hobbling Diego Costa at the final whistle of Saturday’s energy-sapping title decider but the Brazilian Spain international was in tears after being taken off with a sore right hamstring in the first half and remains a huge doubt for Saturday’s Champions League final.
One man who does not look like he is about to leave Atletico Madrid is coach Diego Simeone. There were emotional scenes at the end of the game when his father Carlos was ushered to the front of the Camp Nou to congratulate his son.
‘I was concerned to see him crying because he never cries,’ said the Atletico coach.
In the opposing dug-out Gerardo Martino had taken charge of his last game. He confirmed his departure after the match and will be replaced by former Tottenham target Luis Enrique this week.
The former Barcelona player and Barça B-team coach’s first task next season will be to find the old Messi and rebuild the side. 'There will be major changes' promised the club’s president Josep Bartomeu.
Brilliant: Courtois has been superb for Atletico in his three-year loan spell
Incoming: Luis Enqirue is set to take over at Barcelona after the departure of Gerardo Martino
