Europe 1 with AFP / Photo credit: JEAN CATUFFE / DPPI via AFP
It’s a surprising reaction from Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. The Red Devils goalkeeper has decided not to travel to Estonia with his selection after not being named captain last Saturday against Austria. A reaction that outraged his own teammates.
Thibaut Courtois, frustrated at not having been named captain against Austria on Saturday, has decided not to make the trip to Estonia where Belgium must play a qualifying match for Euro 2024 on Tuesday, we learned Monday with the Federation. In the absence of Kevin De Bruyne, the usual captain, it was Romelu Lukaku who wore the armband against Austria. “After the game, Thibaut suddenly wanted to talk to me and told me he was going home because he was disappointed and he felt insulted,” coach Domenico Tedesco explained on Monday evening.
“In my eyes, he is the best goalkeeper in the world. I appreciate him, as a goalkeeper but also as a human being. I am surprised and shocked that he felt offended and disappointed,” continued the German coach at a press conference. “In March, we decided that Kevin would be the captain, that there would be two vice-captains: Lukaku and Courtois. I spoke to them before the match, in view of Kevin’s absence. For Austria it was Lukaku, and for Estonia it was Courtois. The latter told me immediately after the match that he was no longer in agreement”, concluded Tedesco who would probably have done well without this affair.
Surprised partners
According to Belgian media, the Real Madrid goalkeeper’s teammates were surprised by their partner’s decision. “It’s a deplorable situation. I would prefer Thibaut to be there, but the group process is important. It is certain that this process is now disrupted and that a solution will have to be found,” said defender Jan Vertonghen on Monday evening. , the most capped player of the selection.
In the absence of Courtois, it is Strasbourg goalkeeper Matz Sels who will defend the Belgian goals in Estonia. Held in check by Austria on Saturday in Brussels (1-1) where… Courtois had been celebrated for his 100th selection, Belgium had started qualifying for the Euro with a demonstration in Sweden in March (3-0). The Courtois affair now puts a damper on this good start to the journey since Tedesco succeeded Roberto Martinez after the 2022 World Cup last winter.