Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois is Belgian Athlete of the Year

Thibaut Courtois has become the first footballer to be named Belgian Athlete of the Year since the contest began in 1967. "It's very nice to be the first footballer to win this award, which is uncommon for a team player,” he told Het Laatste Nieuws.

With a broad smile, 22-year-old Courtois entered the press room with the Athlete of the Year trophy in his left hand and the Team of the Year trophy in his right hand. The Chelsea keeper played in goal during Belgium's progression to the quarter-finals in Brazil, the country's first World Cup appearance since 2002.

He beat two teammates who were also in the running for the award: Chelsea teammate Eden Hazard and former Chelsea player Kevin De Bruyne.

Courtois has won at least two awards a year since 2011, including both the Belgian and Spanish league titles, Goalkeeper of the Year in Belgium, the Ricardo Zamora Trophy (twice), LFP Goalkeeper of the Year and Best Belgian Abroad.