Thibaut Courtois isn't exactly an adored figure amongst Atletico Madrid fans.At least, not these days, that is, because the Belgian shot-stopper was indeed a huge hit across a three-year loan spell at the club between 2011 and 2014 that ultimately launched his career into the stratosphere.The Chelsea loanee bagged back-to-back Ricardo Zamora Trophies between the sticks for Los Rojiblancos as well as winning the La Liga title and reaching a Champions League final.

Courtois' relationship with Atletico fans

And while their initial divorce was an amicable one with Courtois recalled to his parent club, let's just say that the goalkeeper's eventual return to Spain wasn't met with quite the same level of understanding.

That's because Courtois took the decision to sign for Atletico's fiercest local rivals, Real Madrid, cuing furious responses from certain sections of support on the red and white side of the city.

As such, it should come as no surprise to learn that Courtois' subsequent returns to the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium haven't exactly seen him greeted with open arms, hugs and kisses.

And ahead of a particularly tense instalment in the long history of the Madrid derby on Sunday night, Courtois was given the sort of welcome that any player moving between major rivals can come to expect from football fans.

Soccer Football - LaLiga - Atletico Madrid v Real Madrid - Metropolitano, Madrid, Spain - September 18, 2022 Real Madrid's David Alaba and Thibaut Courtois celebrate after the match REUTERS/Violeta Santos Moura

Atletico fan taunts Courtois

In fact, the 30-year-old must have been acutely aware of some of the taunting and abuse that was being hurled his way by the home fans based on remarkable footage released by Spanish television channel GOL PLAY.

It shows Courtois receiving pelters from one particularly animated Atletico fan who, based on the subtitles and our attempts on Google Translate, seems to be obsessed with getting the Belgian to look in his direction.

But the Real shot-stopper was hardly phased by the taunting and actually seemed to be enjoying it to an extent, lapping up the comments by cracking a few smiles and nonchalant facial expressions.

However, Courtois truly outdid himself when the footage revealed him pointing towards the tattoo of the Champions League trophy that he got inked on his left foreman over the summer.

With Atletico having never lifted 'Big Ears' and Courtois finally getting his hands on the trophy with the club's local rivals, it was really was the perfect dig in response, so be sure to check out the footage down below:

Video: Courtois points to tattoo as Atletico fan taunts him

You've got to say that was a pretty good move from Courtois there.

Courtois' Champions League tattoo

The ex-Chelsea goalkeeper produced a Man of the Match performance during Real Madrid's 1-0 win over Liverpool on May 28, hence his tattoo showing a football goal as bricked up and graffitied with his initials on it.

And given that Atletico have never won the trophy that Real have lifted no less than 14 times, even losing twice in finals to Los Blancos, it was a pretty 'game, set and match' kind of insult from the Belgian.

Thankfully for Courtois, too, it didn't come back to bite him as his Real side maintained their lead at the La Liga summit with a 2-1 win at the Wanda courtesy of goals from Rodrygo Goes and Federico Valverde.

Better luck next time, Atletico.