Chelsea fans not only ones unhappy with Thibaut Courtois over Real Madrid transfer

Atletico Madrid were forced to deploy security guards to protect the plaque dedicated to Thibaut Courtois from vandals ahead of their International Champions Cup game against Inter on Saturday night.

When their Wanda Metropolitano stadium opened last year, Atletico unveiled a walk of legends with plaques dedicated to all of the players who have featured in 100 or more official games for the club.

The plaque commemorating Hugo Sanchez was targeted by fans ahead of their opening match at the venue, against Malaga, with supporters littering the area with empty beer cans and cigarettes to show their dislike for the former Mexico striker, who moved from Atletico to Real Madrid in 1985.

And after Thibaut Courtois signed for Real Madrid on Wednesday and subsequently kissed the club’s badge, there was no love lost for the former Chelsea goalkeeper, who spent three successful seasons on loan at the Vicente Calderon between 2011 and 2014.

Earlier on Saturday, someone had sprayed the plaque with the word ‘rat’, while others later spat and poured beer on the sign. Atletico responded by cleaning the space and deploying two security guards to limit further damage, although still fans flocked to the area ahead of the game and some of the graffiti remained.