Scandal in Belgium’s national team
Angry departed goalkeeper shocked Tedesco
06/19/2023, 8:57 p.m
With a win and a draw, Belgium got off to a solid start in qualifying for the European Championship. Before the third game in Estonia, the new coach Domenico Tedesco still has to solve his first conflict. Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has left – apparently out of personal disappointment.
Belgium’s national soccer team plays without star goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois from Real Madrid in the European Championship qualifier against Estonia. The Belgian association confirmed this without giving reasons. “I’m surprised and shocked,” said coach Domenico Tedeso, according to the newspaper “Het Laatste Nieuws” at the press conference on the upcoming game. “We didn’t expect something like this to happen.”
According to Belgian media reports, the 31-year-old keeper is upset that he didn’t get the captain’s armband from the German coach after Kevin De Bruyne was injured in the 1-1 draw with Austria last Saturday. Instead of Courtois, Tedesco had made striker Romelu Lukaku captain. They decided in March that behind De Bruyne Lukaku and Courtois were equal deputies. After the game, however, the keeper was offended and announced that he wanted to go home, Tedesco said.
In the German coaching duel with Ralf Rangnick, Belgium had managed to draw 1-1 after a 0-1 deficit thanks to a goal by Lukaku. Austria are still undefeated after the third qualifying game and are three points ahead of the group F table. Tedesco’s Red Devils gave up the first points at their home premiere and are second with four points from two games.
According to media reports, Courtois should be captain this Tuesday in Tallinn against Estonia (8:45 p.m.). Despite this, the 2018 FIFA World Goalkeeper of the Year did not show up for a team meeting to prepare for the game. Since his actual representative Koen Casteels from VfL Wolfsburg is currently injured, Matz Sels from Racing Straßburg should now be in the Belgian goal.
The Belgian team had already fallen out at the World Cup in Qatar and failed as the secret favorite in the preliminary round. Former Bundesliga coach Tedesco took over the team from Roberto Martínez after the World Cup and celebrated a 3-2 win in Germany, among other things.