De Bruyne misses Courtois in Belgium squad

Belgium captain Kevin de Bruyne expressed regret that Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois will not play at Euro 2024 because of a clash with coach Domenico Tedesco, but resigned himself to the fact that the ‘Red Devils’ will face the tournament with the goalkeepers called up.

‘The best thing would be to have everyone available. I don't know all the details of the matter because I wasn't present at that training camp. But we have to trust the other three goalkeepers in the team. The situation is what it is,’ said the Manchester City midfielder.

Courtois was upset a year ago with the then newly-arrived Belgium coach, Italian-German Domenico Tedesco, for what the goalkeeper saw as a snub to his hierarchy. The goalkeeper left the team's training camp and the tension has not abated since, while the Madrid man has picked up two injuries that have kept him out for much of the season.

However, the Belgian goalkeeper was fit in time to play for Real Madrid at Wembley in the Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund, a game in which Courtois, 32, put in a crucial performance to secure victory for Los Blancos. After the Champions League final, the Belgian sporting press were unanimous in their regret that Belgium will be without what many consider to be the world's best goalkeeper.