Thibaut Courtois is back in the Belgium squad for this month's Nations League play-off versus Ukraine as furious team-mate quits because of Real Madrid star's recall
Belgium star quits team and slams Thibaut Courtois as goalkeeper returns
Thibaut Courtois is back in the Belgium fold. (
Image: Getty Images)
Furious Koen Casteels has quit the Belgium team after Thibaut Courtois was welcomed back into the fold.
Casteels was first choice goalkeeper at last summer’s European Championships, which Real Madrid star Courtois missed out on following a falling out with Domenico Tedesco after slamming the then head coach in a 2023 interview.
But now Courtois is back with the Red Devils, Casteels has decided to make himself unavailable for selection.
"First of all, I find it strange that Courtois has decided to return on his own and I find it strange that the federation has changed its mind,” he told the MidMid Podcast.
"For me, we are all equal, no player is above the team. That was the case at the beginning, but now the federation has rolled out the red carpet for him.
"I recently heard him say about Tedesco's dismissal that it shows that he was right. For me, that shows little sense of guilt.
"This does not conform to the standards and values that I consider appropriate for a team sport. I cannot be part of an organisation that approves this type of behaviour.
"As of today I am no longer available for the national team. I cannot go to the national team with a clear conscience.
Thibaut Courtois would not play under Domenico Tedesco. (
Image:
Cristian Trujillo/Getty Images)
"There are many players who do not agree. I am curious about what they will say. It was not just about that incident between Courtois and Tedesco, other things were said that hurt me."
Tedesco was replaced by Rudi Garcia in January following a dismal run of form that has extended beyond their Euros failure.
Courtois, whose criticism of Tedesco focused on Kevin De Bruyne being given the captaincy, will be in the squad for this month’s Nations League play-offs against Ukraine and is expected to immediately resume his role as first choice stopper.
It remains unclear whether any other Belgium team-mates have been irritated by Courtois' controversial recall from his almost two-year exile.
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