The Belgian national team is embroiled in a fresh controversy after goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois abruptly departed the training camp ahead of their Euro 2024 qualifier against Estonia. This incident, dubbed "Courtoisgate" by Belgian media, comes just months after the team's disappointing World Cup performance. New coach Domenico Tedesco expressed his shock at the situation, stating it was unexpected and surprising.
The heart of the matter appears to be the captaincy. With regular captain Kevin De Bruyne sidelined due to injury, Tedesco chose Romelu Lukaku to lead the team against Austria, a match that ended in a 1-1 draw. Lukaku scored the equalizing goal, but Courtois, a veteran with over 100 caps for Belgium, was reportedly deeply offended by being overlooked for the armband. He subsequently failed to report back to camp for the upcoming Estonia match.
Tedesco recounted his conversation with Courtois after the Austria game, revealing that the goalkeeper expressed his displeasure and announced his intention to leave. Despite Tedesco's attempts to persuade him to stay, emphasizing the impact on the team and staff, Courtois stood firm in his decision. While Courtois' father attributed his son's departure to knee inflammation and discussions between Real Madrid and the Belgian medical teams, Tedesco explicitly denied any injury concerns, stating that he would be lying if he claimed that was the reason.
This episode adds another layer of complexity to Tedesco's rebuilding efforts. Following Belgium's underwhelming World Cup exit, several key players, including Eden Hazard, Axel Witsel, and Toby Alderweireld, announced their retirement from international football. The potential loss of Courtois, considered one of the best goalkeepers in the world, would be a significant blow to the team. Tedesco, who had previously praised Courtois' performance and emphasized his value to the squad, now faces the challenge of navigating this unexpected crisis. The coach stated that it's not the appropriate time to discuss Courtois' potential return to the national team, leaving the future uncertain.
