Thibaut Courtois has left a great clue about his future of Belgium after more than 18 months of the national team.
The Real Madrid goalkeeper, whose last appearance for Belgium occurred during a qualifier of the European Championship against Austria in June 2023, refused to play for his country until Domenico Tedesco was replaced as manager of the first team.
In August 2024, after a long period of spell apart from injury, Courtois announced his self -imposed exile by revealing that “he lacked trust” in the current management and there was no change in exchange.
It is believed that the row was derived from that Courtois was overlooked for the captaincy under Tedesco, with Kevin de Bruyne taking the bracelet permanently after the retirement of Eden Hazard in 2023.
Belgium's FA fired Tedesco in January after his team fought both in the European championship and in the League of Nations last year.
The goalkeeper of Madrid, who turns 33 in May, admitted that he is “ready” to return now that Rudi García has assumed the position of Tedesco on the Belgian bench.
Thibaut Courtois has admitted that he is “ready to return” to Belgium after his self -imposed exile
The Real Madrid goalkeeper refused to play while Domenico Tedesco was a manager of Belgium
The Courtois saga is the last story in a long soap opera that involves the 'golden generation' of Belgium
“I really missed playing for Belgium … A year and a half has passed, now I'm ready to return,” Courtois told Kora Break Podcast, as reported by Spanish Outlet Brandlast weekend.
Shortly after being appointed the new chief coach of Belgium, Garcia said: “It is a shame not to have the best goalkeeper in the world.”
His father, Thierry Courtois, has also revealed that there have been conversations between the Belgian FA and the goalkeeper, whose first return game would be against Ukraine on March 20 if selected.
The statement confirming its exile in 2023, which was shared through the social media accounts of the star, said: 'I feel privileged to have had the honor of wearing the national shirt. Not even in my wildest dreams I could have imagined being able to do it more than 100 times.
'Unfortunately, after the events with the coach and after a lot of reflection, I have decided not to return to the Belgian national team under his administration.
'In this matter, I accept my part of responsibility. However, looking forward, my lack of confidence in him would not contribute to maintaining the necessary atmosphere of cordiality.
'I am possibly disappointing some fans, but I am convinced that this is the best course of action for Belgium, since it closes a debate and allows the team to concentrate on pursuing its goals. Thank you for your unwavering support, love and understanding.
The exile of Courtois and the expected return is the last story in a long soap opera that involves the 'Gold Generation' of Belgium, which has appeared more in the headlines compared to him.
Belgium's new head, Rudi García, admitted that it would be a 'shame' not having Courtois on his side
Kevin de Bruyne de Manchester City caused chaos when he said his team was “too old” in 2022
According to the reports, Courtois swept his teammates after being broken down by the captaincy in the absence of De Bruyne, who delivered the bracelet to Romelu Lukaku against Austria
Blessed with a superstar of wealth such as Courtois, by Bruyne, Hazard, Romelu Lukaku, Vincent Kompany and Dries Merertens, to name a few, Belgium did not approach the cutlery, despite the fact that at a stage number 1 in the world.
A little over a decade ago, in 2014, Bruyne's ex -girlfriend, Caroline Lijnen, revealed that he cheated him with Courtois after stating that the AS of Manchester City had an adventure with her former friend.
Speaking to Belgian Publication Story, he said: 'Kevin deceived me. I didn't say anything for months because I couldn't say anything, since Kevin's parents said they would take legal measures if I gave my story. I was under pressure and could not have contact with Kevin.
'I respected everything. But in his book Keep it simple, Kevin wrote a passage about my adventure with Thibaut. So, I decided to remain silent no longer.
'In the summer of 2012, Kevin told me that I had an adventure with my best friend. I gave her the option: she or me. He was ready to give him another chance, but our relationship was never the same later.
According to the reports of former manager Roberto Martínez, Belgium players participated in a huge bust in the locker room after his 2022 World Cup departure, started after Bruyne admitted that his team was “too old” to win the tournament .
Weeks later, with Tedesco replaced Martínez after the elimination of the Belgium World Cup, Courtois caused seismic disturbances in the camp again after, according to the reports, they faced the staff and players in the costumes when Lukaku was chosen as captain in the absence of De Bruyne.