Courtois thanks Chelsea players after winning Fifa award
Thibaut Courtois got the move to Real Madrid he wanted. [Picture: Peter Byrne/PA Wire]
Thibaut Courtois thanked his former Chelsea team-mates after winning the Fifa goalkeeper of the year award.
The Belgium international, who recently left Chelsea for Real Madrid, topped Fifa’s list after his outstanding performances for his country and former club.
Accepting the award, Courtois said: “I want to thank my team-mates at Chelsea, at Real Madrid and the national team – also my managers.
“Also I want to thank especially my family, my friends – they always stand by me in the good times, the bad times, but they are always there for good advice, so thank you everyone.”
Chelsea duo Eden Hazard and N’Golo Kante were named in the Fifa/FIFPro World 11.
The dream team was put together by votes from 25,000 professional footballers from more than 65 countries.
“I’m just proud to be next to these kind of players,” Belgian Hazard said at the awards ceremony in London.
“They are all top players in the world. Some of them are friends of mine and I’m just happy to be here.”
Kante, who helped France win the World Cup, said: “I’m really proud to be here. It’s a great honour to be here. I’m very happy.”
