After a dispute over the captain’s armband, goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois will no longer play for Belgium under German coach Domenico Tedesco. “Unfortunately, after the events with the coach and after careful consideration, I have decided not to return to the Belgian national team under his leadership,” the 32-year-old wrote on Instagram. Courtois had missed the European Football Championship in Germany after tearing his cruciate ligament.
The relationship between the Real Madrid goalkeeper and Tedesco has been under severe strain since last summer. In June 2023, the coach, who had only recently taken office, appointed Romelu Lukaku as substitute captain in the absence of top star Kevin De Bruyne. As a result, Courtois left the national team in a huff before the European Championship qualifier in Estonia and made serious allegations. “I take my share of responsibility in this matter,” Courtois wrote. “Looking to the future,” however, his “lack of trust” in Tedesco “will not help to maintain the necessary atmosphere of cordiality.”
The Belgian Football Association (RBFA) told X: “The RBFA regrets but accepts the decision of Thibaut Courtois to no longer play for the Red Devils under the current sporting management.” Courtois has played 102 international matches for Belgium.