Courtois Boycotts Coach, Quits Belgium National Team
Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has declared that he will not return to the Belgium national team as long as current coach Domenico Tedesco remains in charge.
“I feel immense love, pride, and honor whenever I wear the national team jersey. Even in my wildest dreams, I never imagined that I would represent my country over 100 times,” Courtois began in an Instagram post on August 22.
The 32-year-old goalkeeper then confirmed his decision not to rejoin the national team due to conflicts with coach Tedesco. “After everything that has happened with the coach and after much consideration, I have decided not to return to the national team under his leadership,” Courtois continued. “I accept my share of responsibility in this matter. However, looking forward, I don’t believe that my lack of trust in him can contribute to the necessary camaraderie within the team.”
The Real Madrid player mentioned that he had several discussions with the Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA), and they have accepted his position and the reasons behind his decision. Courtois believes that stepping away from the national team is the best decision for the group, as it will end the ongoing debates and allow the team to focus on their future goals.
The RBFA issued a statement expressing regret over Courtois’ decision but acknowledged and respected it. They also inquired about his plans after Euro 2024 and have decided to honor his final decision. The association expressed gratitude for Courtois’ contributions to the national team and wished him well in his future endeavors.
Courtois’ conflict with coach Tedesco began during the June 2023 international break. Upset over not being named captain for the match against Austria, which marked his 100th appearance for Belgium, Courtois reportedly clashed with some teammates and left the training camp abruptly. He claimed to have departed due to a knee injury, a claim that was later refuted by Tedesco.
In December 2023, Courtois apologized for his sudden departure but publicly criticized Tedesco for how he handled the captaincy situation, arguing that he did not receive the same respect with the national team as he does at Real Madrid. Courtois was also displeased that Tedesco brought the issue to the media instead of resolving it internally.
During the 2023-2024 season, Courtois suffered an injury in the preseason but returned to play in four of the last five La Liga matches and in the Champions League final against Dortmund. However, he did not participate in Euro 2024, citing that he was not in optimal physical condition.
Courtois has been a part of the national team since 2011, earning 102 caps, with his career highlight being reaching the semifinals of the 2018 World Cup. Tedesco, who replaced Roberto Martinez after the 2022 World Cup, has yet to make a significant impact, with Belgium losing 1-0 to France in the Round of 16 at Euro 2024.
