Thibaut Courtois reflected on his absence during his first press conference with the Belgian national team in nearly two years. The goalkeeper also addressed misunderstandings that, in his view, were spread by the media.
Embed from Getty Images
Thibaut Courtois’s return to the Belgian national team marks the end of a turbulent chapter in his international career, one that has been filled with controversy, internal conflicts, and a prolonged absence from the squad.
The Real Madrid goalkeeper, widely regarded as one of the best in the world, had not played for Belgium since June 2023 following a fallout with former head coach Domenico Tedesco. Now, with Rudi Garcia taking over as manager, Courtois has returned, aiming to put past disputes behind him.
The 32-year-old goalkeeper spoke publicly about his absence for the first time in nearly two years during a highly anticipated press conference. Before addressing the media, however, Courtois had to clear the air within the squad. An internal meeting was held on Monday, where the goalkeeper apologized to the players, staff, and fans, acknowledging the controversy that surrounded his departure. Youri Tielemans, who was also present at the press conference, confirmed that the group had accepted Courtois’s explanation. He stated that the team had moved on and was now fully focused on the future. Courtois emphasized that the meeting was necessary to clear up misinformation that had been circulating in the media, adding that the players had the opportunity to ask him questions directly, allowing him to better understand why some were disappointed. He insisted that everything had been discussed and that his only focus now was on moving forward.
Belgium will soon put this reconciliation to the test on the pitch as they face Ukraine on Thursday, March 20, at 20:45 CET. The match will be a significant moment for Courtois as he returns to the squad, hoping to put past tensions behind him and refocus on his role as Belgium’s first-choice goalkeeper.
During the press conference, Courtois criticized the Belgian media, accusing them of spreading misunderstandings. He explained that the biggest issue was the captaincy debate and how it was portrayed. He insisted that it was not the main reason for his departure but simply the final straw in an already strained situation. He was referring to the controversy that arose when, in the absence of Kevin De Bruyne, it was Romelu Lukaku, and not him, who was given the captain’s armband during Belgium’s match against Austria. Feeling disrespected, Courtois refused to play in the following game against Estonia. That match against Austria turned out to be his last for Belgium until now.
Courtois insisted that the captain’s armband had never been important to him and that he had always been a leader on the field, with or without the official title. However, former head coach Domenico Tedesco had a different view and believed the goalkeeper was genuinely offended by the decision. Tedesco recalled how after the match against Austria, Courtois suddenly requested a meeting with him and said he was leaving the team because he felt disappointed and insulted. The coach admitted that he was shocked by Courtois’s reaction at the time.
The tension between Courtois and Tedesco had been an open secret within the Belgian squad for months. It was widely known that the two did not have a good relationship, and their conflict only escalated behind the scenes. In January, Tedesco was dismissed as Belgium’s head coach, but Courtois has now confirmed that the issues ran deeper than the captaincy dispute. During a meeting with then-technical director Frank Vercauteren, who has also since left, and Tedesco, Courtois felt a reaction from the coach that, in his words, left him with no way back.
While Courtois’s return has been accepted by many within the squad, not everyone has been pleased with how the situation has unfolded. Koen Casteels, who had been filling in as Belgium’s goalkeeper during Courtois’s absence, has decided to step away from the national team entirely. In an interview on the MidMid podcast, Casteels expressed his frustration with the way the Belgian football federation handled Courtois’s return. He found it strange that Courtois was allowed to decide for himself when he wanted to return, adding that the federation had suddenly changed its stance and welcomed him back without any real consequences. Casteels stated that he didn’t necessarily blame Courtois for the situation but rather the federation, arguing that this type of treatment was not in line with the values of a team sport or a professional sporting organization.
Casteels also claimed that multiple players within the squad were unhappy with Courtois’s return. However, Courtois quickly shut down those remarks, saying he did not know what Casteels was talking about. He dismissed the idea of ongoing tension within the team and stated that if people had something to say, they should be direct and open about it. He made it clear that Casteels had made his decision to leave the national team and that everyone must take responsibility for their own choices.
Casteels, who featured for Belgium at Euro 2024 and made 20 appearances for the national team, has now ended his international career in frustration. With Courtois back in goal, Belgium must now shift their focus to their UEFA Nations League campaign, where they need to secure their place in the top tier. Their upcoming double-header against Ukraine will be crucial in determining their position in the competition.
Belgium is set to face Ukraine on Thursday, March 20, and again on Sunday, March 24, both kicking off at 20:45 CET. These matches will be crucial not only for Belgium’s standings but also for Courtois’s reintegration into the team. His performances will be under scrutiny as he looks to prove that he remains Belgium’s undisputed number one, despite the controversy that has surrounded his return.
For head coach Rudi Garcia, Courtois’s comeback presents both an opportunity and a challenge. While the goalkeeper’s quality is undeniable, the squad must ensure that past tensions do not resurface. If Courtois can deliver on the pitch and regain the trust of his teammates, Belgium could enter their next major tournament with a stable defensive foundation. However, with Casteels stepping away and some players still harboring doubts, Garcia will need to carefully manage the dressing room dynamic to avoid further division.
For now, Courtois has put the past behind him and is fully focused on helping Belgium move forward. But whether the rest of the squad is ready to fully embrace his return remains to be seen.
Updated: 03:13, 18 Mar 2025
