Courtois 'deeply disappointed' with Belgium boss

Thibaut Courtois has 'refused' to make the trip to Tallinn for Belgium's Euro 2024 qualifier against Estonia on Tuesday after being overlooked for the stand-in captaincy last week. In the absence of regular skipper Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku wore the captain's armband for the 1-1 draw with Austria last Saturday.

Domenico Tedesco said the plan had been for his two vice-captains, Lukaku and Real Madrid goalkeeper Courtois, to lead the side in one match each during the international break.

Nonetheless, the Real Madrid goalkeeper denied the Belgian manager's claims and said he was "deeply disappointed": "This afternoon I was surprised to hear the coach's press conference in which he gave a partial and subjective account of a private conversation we had after the match against Austria.

"I want to make it clear that it is not the first time or the last time that I talk to a coach about issues related to a locker room, but it is the first time that someone decides to tell it publicly. I am deeply disappointed with this, but I want to make it clear that the coach's assessments do not fit with reality," he said.

"In that conversation I asked him, not for direct benefit, to explain and make decisions to avoid situations that in the past have harmed us while always looking for the general benefit. To be or not to be the national team captain is neither a whim nor a random decision.

"I insist that in no case have I demanded anything and that I have spoken to my teammate Romelu Lukaku to clarify any circumstances related to this situation. Furthermore, yesterday afternoon I underwent a check-up for a problem in my right knee," he concluded.

 

June 19, 2023