Belgium fans were thrilled to see Thibaut Courtois return to the national team after a two-year absence for the upcoming UEFA Nations League games. However, the Real Madrid star’s comeback has stirred internal controversy, ultimately prompting one of his teammates to resign from the squad.
Following a string of poor results, the Belgian Football Association decided to part ways with coach Domenico Tedesco, whose tenure was marked by tensions with Courtois — tensions that led the Real Madrid goalkeeper to step away from international duty. Now under new coach Rudi Garcia, Courtois made a surprising return to the squad, which caused frustration for fellow goalkeeper Koen Casteels, who openly criticized the situation:
“It’s strange that the football association has turned 180 degrees and is rolling out the red carpet and welcoming him back with open arms… I think it’s a bit strange that Courtois can decide for himself whether he can come back. It is not so much towards Thibaut, but mainly towards the football association,” Casteels said on the Belgian podcast MidMid.
Frustrated with how the situation unfolded, Casteels made the bold decision to retire from international duty. “That does not fit in with the standards and values that I have about what a team sport or a sporting organization should have. As of today, I am no longer available (for the national team),” he claimed.
Casteels had been Belgium’s starting goalkeeper during Tedesco’s tenure, featuring prominently in the team’s run to the Euro 2024 round of 16, where they were eliminated by France. He also played as Belgium finished third in Group 2 of the UEFA Nations League. Now, as Belgium prepares to face Ukraine in a decisive promotion/relegation playoff, Courtois is expected to reclaim the starting spot left vacant by Casteels’ departure.
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Why did Courtois quit Belgium national team?
Domenico Tedesco was appointed as Belgium’s head coach in February 2023 following his tenure at RB Leipzig, with the goal of revitalizing a talented squad that had underachieved in major tournaments. Courtois, regarded as one of the world’s best goalkeepers and a key figure at Real Madrid, was expected to play a pivotal role in Tedesco’s plans.
However, tensions quickly emerged between the two. The breaking point came when Tedesco chose Romelu Lukaku as Belgium’s captain instead of Courtois. Feeling overlooked, Courtois decided to withdraw from the national team after making just two appearances under Tedesco.
