Thibaut Courtois has dropped a major hint over his Belgium future after more than 18 months away from the national team.
The Real Madrid goalkeeper, whose last appearance for Belgium came during a European Championship qualifier against Austria in June 2023, refused to play for his country until Domenico Tedesco was replaced as first-team manager.
In August 2024, following a lengthy spell on the sidelines with injury, Courtois announced his self-imposed exile by revealing he ‘lacked confidence’ in the current management and would not return under change was made.
It is believed the row stemmed from Courtois being overlooked for captaincy under Tedesco, with Kevin De Bruyne taking the armband permanently following Eden Hazard’s retirement in 2023.
Belgium’s FA sacked Tedesco in January after his side struggled at both the European Championships and Nations League last year.
The Madrid goalkeeper, who turns 33 in May, admitted he is ‘ready’ to return now that Rudi Garcia has taken over from Tedesco in the Belgium dugout.
Thibaut Courtois has admitted he’s ‘ready to go back’ to Belgium after his self-imposed exile
The Real Madrid goalkeeper refused to play while Domenico Tedesco was Belgium manager
The Courtois saga is the latest tale in a long soap opera involving Belgium’s ‘golden generation’
‘I really missed playing for Belgium… it’s been a year and a half, now I’m ready to come back,’ Courtois told the Koora Break podcast, as reported by Spanish outlet Marca, last weekend.
Shortly after being appointed the new head coach of Belgium, Garcia said: ‘It’s a shame not to be able to count on the best goalkeeper in the world’.
His father, Thierry Courtois, has also revealed that talks have occurred between the Belgian FA and the goalkeeper, whose first game back would be against Ukraine on March 20 if selected.
The statement confirming his exile in 2023, which was shared via the star’s social media accounts, read: ‘I feel privileged to have had the honour of wearing the national jersey. Not even in my wildest dreams could I have imagined being able to do so more than 100 times.
‘Unfortunately, following the events with the coach and after much reflection, I have decided not to return to the Belgian national team under his management.
‘In this matter, I accept my share of responsibility. However, looking forward, my lack of confidence in him would not contribute to maintaining the necessary atmosphere of cordiality.
‘I regret possibly disappointing some fans but I am convinced that this is the best course of action for Belgium, as it closes a debate and allows the team to focus on pursuing its goals. Thank you for your unwavering support, love, and understanding.’
Courtois’ exile and expected return is the latest tale in a long soap opera involving Belgium’s ‘golden generation’, who have made more headlines off the pitch compared to on it.
Belgium’s new boss Rudi Garcia admitted it would be a ‘shame’ not to have Courtois in his side
Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne caused chaos when he said his side were ‘too old’ in 2022
Courtois reportedly ripped into his team-mates after being snubbed for captaincy in the absence of De Bruyne, who handed over the armband to Romelu Lukaku against Austria
Blessed with a wealth superstars such as Courtois, De Bruyne, Hazard, Romelu Lukaku, Vincent Kompany and Dries Mertens to name a few, Belgium came nowhere close to silverware, despite at one stage being the No 1 ranked side in the world.
Just over a decade ago, in 2014, De Bruyne’s ex-girlfriend Caroline Lijnen revealed she cheated on him with Courtois after claiming the Manchester City ace had an affair with her former best friend.
Speaking to Belgian publication Story Magazine, she said: ‘Kevin cheated on me. I did not say anything for months because I couldn’t say anything, as Kevin’s parents said they would take legal action if I gave my story. I was under pressure and I could not have contact with Kevin.
‘I respected everything. But in his book Keep it Simple, Kevin wrote a passage about my affair with Thibaut. So, I decided to remain silent no longer.
‘In the summer of 2012, Kevin told me that he had an affair with my old best friend. I gave him the choice: her or me. I was ready to give him another chance, but our relationship was never the same afterwards.’
Under former manager Roberto Martinez, Belgium’s players were reportedly involved in a huge bust-up in the dressing room following their exit from the 2022 World Cup, initiated after De Bruyne admitted his side were ‘too old’ to win the tournament.
Weeks later, with Tedesco having replaced Martinez after Belgium’s World Cup elimination, Courtois caused seismic unrest in the camp again after reportedly clashing with staff and players in the dressing room when Lukaku was picked as stand-in captain in the absence of De Bruyne.
