Thibaut Courtois has expressed hope that the controversy surrounding his nearly two-year absence from the Belgium national team is now behind him after clearing the air with his teammates.
The Real Madrid goalkeeper, who last played for Belgium in June 2023, left the squad ahead of a European Championship qualifier against Estonia, sparking reports that he was unhappy over a captaincy dispute.
However, Courtois clarified on Tuesday that his departure was due to a breakdown in his relationship with former coach Domenico Tedesco, not the armband issue.
Now back in the squad under new manager Rudi Garcia for Belgium’s UEFA Nations League playoff against Ukraine, the 32-year-old admitted he could have handled the situation better. He acknowledged misunderstandings with teammates and expressed regret over how events unfolded.
“There were a lot of half-truths, so I explained everything to the team. They asked their questions, and now we move forward,” Courtois said. “I know I made mistakes. I wasn’t mentally 100% at the time, and I reacted impulsively. That wasn’t smart of me, and it wasn’t fair to the team or the fans.”
Courtois also addressed speculation that his absence was due to being overlooked for the captaincy, calling it “the biggest disinformation.”
He admitted frustration over how the Belgian FA handled the situation but emphasized his commitment to the team moving forward.
Midfielder Youri Tielemans, speaking at the same press conference, welcomed Courtois’ explanation, adding, “The most important thing is that he realizes some things didn’t sit well with the squad, but he clarified his intentions.”
With the situation now addressed, Courtois hopes to regain the trust of Belgian supporters and play a key role in their bid to retain their place in Nations League A.
