Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has declared that he will not be available for selection for the Belgium national team as long as Domenico Tedesco remains in charge. Courtois, who has fully recovered from a serious ACL injury, was notably absent from Belgium’s Euro 2024 squad.
The discord between Courtois and Tedesco began before the summer tournament, culminating in Courtois walking out of a national team camp after accusing the manager of a ‘breach of trust.’ In a statement released on social media, Courtois elaborated on his decision, expressing a lack of confidence in Tedesco’s management.
“I want to address the Belgian fans and supporters of our national team. I have always felt immense pride in representing my country, but after recent events with the coach and much reflection, I have decided not to return to the national team under his management,” Courtois explained.
He added, “The Belgian Football Federation understands my position and the reasons behind this difficult decision. Although I regret potentially disappointing some fans, I believe this is the best course of action to allow the team to focus on its objectives.”
Courtois’ relationship with Tedesco was strained further when he was overlooked for the captaincy following his 100th cap, which Courtois viewed as a significant breach of trust. Since then, he has not played for Belgium.
Despite his impressive performances for Real Madrid, including five clean sheets upon his return from injury, Tedesco had deemed him unfit for Euro 2024, citing the challenges of playing frequently during a tournament.
Belgium, without Courtois, was eliminated in the Round of 16 by France.
Thibaut Courtois has made it clear that he will not return to the Belgium national team as long as Domenico Tedesco remains the head coach. This decision stems from ongoing tensions between Courtois and Tedesco, which escalated earlier this year. The friction began when Courtois walked out of a national team camp, citing a “breach of trust” after being passed over for the captaincy following his 100th cap.
In his statement, Courtois emphasized that he no longer has confidence in Tedesco’s management and that this decision was made after careful consideration. The Belgian Football Federation has acknowledged Courtois’ stance, although this decision has likely disappointed some fans.
Courtois’ exclusion from Belgium’s Euro 2024 squad was notable, especially considering his remarkable form for Real Madrid upon returning from a serious ACL injury, during which he secured five clean sheets. Tedesco, however, justified the decision by expressing concerns about Courtois’ fitness for the demands of a tournament setting. Belgium’s campaign ended with a Round of 16 exit at the hands of France, raising questions about the team’s future without its star goalkeeper.
