Injuries have ended the goalkeeper's Euro 2024 hopes, but the breakdown in his relationship with Domenico Tedesco means his chances were already slim
Belgium will line up without two of their best players against England at Wembley on Tuesday, but while captain Kevin De Bruyne's unavailability is simply a fitness precaution, Thibaut Courtois' absence is far more complexed. Officially, the Real Madrid goalkeeper will be noted as 'injured' having undergone surgery on a torn meniscus in his right knee that has effectively ruled him out of Belgium's Euro 2024 plans – but that doesn't tell the whole story.
Despite not having set foot on a football pitch since the summer, Courtois – arguably outright the best goalkeeper on the planet – has endured a season from hell, and although he cannot be blamed for his injury woes, some problems have been of his own making.
Always outspoken, the 31-year-old has never been afraid to fight his corner, seemingly in the belief he is dealt a raw hand despite being among the best in the business – evidenced by his complaints over being overlooked for individual awards down the years. But Courtois' latest war of words and a very-public falling out could cost him dearly, as he faces a premature end to his international career.
Infuriating snub
Although he might not admit it, Courtois' troubles likely began in March 2023 when he was overlooked for the Belgium captaincy by then-newly installed national team coach Tedesco, with Man City star De Bruyne handed the armband, while the goalkeeper and Roma striker Romelu Lukaku were named as joint vice-captains.
However, a seemingly innocuous coaching decision in June would send the Real Madrid shot-stopper over the edge. With De Bruyne out injured for the Euro 2024 qualifier against Austria, Courtois was expected to skipper the side in his first home game since reaching 100 caps – but the duty was instead given to Lukaku, and Courtois was told he would be captain against Estonia in the next game.
Courtois was supposedly left infuriated and failed to report for training the day after the Austria match, with Tedesco saying in a press conference: "Together we decided that Romelu would be captain against Austria and Thibaut tomorrow against Estonia. That was OK for everyone, but after the match he [Courtois] suddenly wanted to talk to me and said he was going home because he was disappointed and felt offended."
The keeper snapped back, citing his "deep disappointment" at Tedesco for going public about their disagreement, denying he had had a tantrum and insisting he had actually left the camp because of a knee injury, adding that "the coach's assessments do not fit with reality". Tedesco, though, doubled down, saying: "I wish I could say it’s an injury, but I can’t lie."
AdvertisementGetty'Something snapped inside me'
Reflecting on the very-public falling out later in 2023, Courtois admitted that the captaincy snub had made him "explode" and accused Tedesco of a "breach of trust" after his candid press conference comments.
"Look, if my departure was purely about the captaincy, I would have already resigned in March [when Tedesco chose De Bruyne as captain]," he said. "Kevin as captain? No problem. But then you had Romelu [Lukaku] and I as vice-captains without hierarchy.
"When he said that Romelu was captain against Austria and I was captain against Estonia on Tuesday, something snapped inside me. I couldn’t handle it anymore. The fact that I no longer felt appreciation from the federation and trainer made something explode within me. The coach made no effort to find a solution, but simply said he would tell the press everything. He wanted to pressure me not to leave and threaten me.
"That is simply not possible, because it was a private conversation. Then there is a breach of trust between the player and the coach. Tedesco wanted to launch an attack on me, one he announced the day before. Go ahead, I thought – something like that doesn't help and creates a breach of trust. Moreover, things were leaked to the press the next day, which I know came from his side."
Season over before it began
Any hope Courtois had of easing his frustration by turning his attention back to club matters at Real Madrid would be short-lived. In August, just two days before Los Blancos would kick off their La Liga campaign against Athletic Club in Bilbao, the goalkeeper suffered the dreaded torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in training, leaving the pitch in tears and undergoing surgery on his left knee in the days after.
The timing of his injury – which usually entails a recovery period of up to nine months – on the eve of the new season threw his entire campaign into doubt, as well as his participation at Euro 2024 the following summer.
Getty'Nothing lasts forever in football'
Speaking during his rehabilitation in December, Courtois effectively ruled himself out of Euro 2024 contention despite the possibility he might be fit in time, though he did suggest that he and Tedesco could come to some sort of resolution so he might return to the international fold in the future.
"Due to the injury, there will be no European Championships for me anyway," he said. "I first have to recover the full 100 percent and then it is better not to put a date on it. If I’m lucky, I can play another match in May. But then you can never be 100% ready for a big tournament.
"I think it is better to immediately provide that clarity to the national team. I’m not going to be in goal at 80%, while we have other good goalkeepers," Courtois said. "I will just be an extra supporter in June. Hopefully for a European title."
He added: "The door is definitely not closed for me. However, I know that I have to keep the focus on Real Madrid this season. And the European Championship does not figure in the plans for a perfect return. We'll see. Ultimately, nothing lasts forever in football. For me, it's no problem to sort things out like two adults. But where is the middle ground after a breach of trust like this?"