Thibaut Courtois faces the music and hopes controversy over international self-exile is over

BRUSSELS – Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois said on March 18 that he had thrashed out the circumstances of his lengthy exile from the national side with teammates on his return, and hoped the controversy over his almost two-year absence was now settled.

Courtois, 32, has not played for Belgium since June 2023 when he walked out ahead of a European Championship qualifier in Estonia, but after a change of coach he is back in the squad for this week’s Nations League play-offs against Ukraine on March 20 and 23.

The Real Madrid goalkeeper, who has 102 caps, said his walkout had nothing to do with being denied the captaincy, as was reported at the time, but a breakdown in his relationship with then coach Domenico Tedesco, who was replaced by Rudi Garcia in January.

Courtois conceded he might have better handled the confrontation with the coach and regretted misunderstandings with his teammates. However, he felt there was no way back with Tedesco after their relationship broke down.

He struck a conciliatory tone but insisted he would remain opinionated, as he answered a barrage of questions over his lengthy absence – which has divided opinion in Belgium – at a press conference on March 18.

“I am who I am,” he said.

Courtois spoke to teammates a day earlier after joining up with the squad in Belgium.

“There were a lot of misunderstandings, half-truths, so I was able to explain what happened. The teammates were able to ask their questions,” he revealed.

“I’m relieved that we were able to talk everything out. Everything is clear and now we’re looking ahead. I know I made my mistakes. At that time, I wasn’t mentally 100 per cent ready to play.

“After a long season, you sometimes have impulsive reactions and that was not smart of me, that was not the best thing for the team and the supporters.”

He added: “I still think the football association could have handled it better afterwards, but I also suffered a serious knee injury. I wasn’t ready to play at the European Championship anyway. And when a relationship with a coach breaks down it’s also difficult.

“A lot had been written that I left because I didn’t get the captain’s armband, but that’s not true. That’s the biggest disinformation. I understand it was hard for the fans at the time. I hope that they can accept me again. I understand it’s not easy, but I hope that they will support the team.”

Belgium teammate Youri Tielemans, who also addressed the press conference, said it was good that Courtois explained matters.

“The most important thing is that he realises that some things went down badly with the group of players, but he said that he had not meant it that way,” said the midfielder. 

Frenchman Garcia has signed a contract until the end of the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada, but his first task is to keep Belgium in the top flight of the Nations League.

It is the former Lille and Roma boss’ first job since a disastrous stint at Napoli last season. REUTERS, AFP