Eden Hazard spent a large portion of his career at Chelsea, working closely with a lot of the players who were on the winning side of Wednesday's Champions League semi-final, yet Thibaut Courtois' father has made clear he felt Hazard was unprofessional with how he was pictured laughing with former teammates at the end of the tie.
Spanish media sources gave the images particularly close attention in the immediate aftermath of the defeat, with fans suggesting such a lack of respect was particularly galling given how injury-prone Hazard has been since being signed by Los Blancos for 100 million euros.
"Its really not smart for Eden to do that," Thierry Courtois explained on the HLN Sportcast podcast.
"He probably didn't think twice about it, but those images are painful for Real Madrid fans.
"If you see a player laughing two minutes after being eliminated, I'd say it was unprofessional."
Whilst refusing to hide his feelings on the matter of Hazard's laughter, Courtois' father was quick to make clear that these things can be forgotten quickly in football.
"He can still give the club the league title in the next four games," he added.
"Then everything will be forgotten and forgiven, Ramos or someone will have to talk to him about it."
BravinMomanyi
520
Can you go and tell Courtois' father HAZARD is our HERO at CHELSEA and not his son please?
nuwbdkmnyz
323
Mr Courtois's father. What is the aim of football competitions? Isn't it to bridge the gab between hate and camaraderie among Nations, Tribes, clubs, friends etc. So what if Hazard laughed with a former team.? Was he the only Madrid player whose play was stifled by Chelsea? Madrid fans only want to vent the pain of their loss on him. It is right he has apologized for peace to prevail. European football opened my eyes to friendship in football when after matches I see players hugging and shaking hands, even exchanging jerseys. Some even cover their mouths to share pleasantries. Camaraderie at its best. So what if a player of a defeated team hugs and laughs with a friend in the victorious team. Maybe all you people mad at Hazard don't know how friendship is, the sort of long time no see feeling. Rest Hazard, the apology is enough.