Courtois Talks About His Return to Belgium
Looks like Real Madrid goalie Thibaut Courtois is back with the Belgium national team after being out since June 2023. He’s considered one of the best, and he’s coming back under their new coach, Rudi Garcia. He had a pretty public disagreement with the old coach, Domenico Tedesco, which kept him away from playing for his country for two years. Now, with Belgium getting ready for some big World Cup qualifying games against Ukraine, Courtois is speaking out and hoping the fans will welcome him back. Courtois Breaks Silence on Belgium Exile.
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Why Courtois Was Out and Why He’s Back
Courtois’ time away from the national team started in June 2023 when he didn’t want to travel for a EURO 2024 game. At first, he said it was because he didn’t get to be captain. But later, he said he had a knee injury. This made things tense between him and the Belgium Football Association, with people thinking he was just upset instead of actually injured. Courtois Breaks Silence on Belgium Exile.
Belgium didn’t do great at EURO 2024 (Koen Casteels was in goal), so Courtois coming back is a big deal for the team. Ukraine is a tough team, but having Courtois back should help a lot.
Asking for Forgiveness
At a press conference before the World Cup qualifiers, Courtois said he messed up and was glad he talked things over with his teammates.
There were misunderstandings, so I told them what happened. They asked questions, and I answered, he said.
Courtois said he acted without thinking in 2023 because he was tired after a long season. He thinks the Belgian Football Association could have handled things better, but he also had a bad knee injury that would have kept him out of EURO 2024 anyway.
I know I made mistakes. I wasn’t ready to play. After a long season, you react emotionally, and it wasn’t smart. It wasn’t good for the team or the fans, Courtois said. Courtois Breaks Silence on Belgium Exile.
It Wasn’t Just About the Captaincy
Courtois said that he didn’t leave just because he didn’t get to wear the captain’s armband. He said that wasn’t true and wants the fans to move on.
People wrote that I left because I didn’t get the armband, but that’s wrong, he said.
He knows the fans were upset when he left and hopes they’ll accept him back.
I know it was hard for the fans. I hope they can forgive me. It won’t be easy, but I hope they support the team, he said.
Tielemans Says Courtois’ Return Is Important
Youri Tielemans said it was important for Courtois to explain his side of the story so the team could be united. With Belgium trying to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, they need to get along.
He knows some things didn’t sit well with the team, but he made it clear that he didn’t mean it that way, Tielemans said.
When Belgium Plays Ukraine
Belgium’s first game against Ukraine will be in Spain on Friday at 6:45 AM (AEDT). The second game is in Genk, Belgium, on Monday, March 24.
If you’re in Australia, you can watch the World Cup qualifiers on Optus Sport.
