Courtois: Belgium’s early exit from World Cup 2022 “a bit embarrassing”

Keeper doesn’t see a golden generation

Thibaut Courtois found clear and self-critical words after the early elimination of the Belgian national team at the World Cup in Qatar. “You can hardly call yourself the golden generation if you don’t win anything,” said the 30-year-old goalkeeper of the “Red Devils” of the Spanish “AS” (quoted via “Voetbal International”). The Belgians failed as third in a group with Morocco (1st), Croatia (2nd) and Canada (4th), at the last European Championship they came to a halt in the quarter-finals after a 1-2 draw against Italy. At the 2018 World Cup tournament in Russia, 3rd place was booked.

“We are not a golden generation, we are a generation with many talents and great players playing in top European clubs. We showed in Russia 2018 that we are a Belgium that plays good football. At this World Cup and at the last European Championships, we weren’t ourselves, it’s a bit embarrassing,” said Courtois, who was part of one of the most experienced squads at the finals with a squad worth €563m.

After the disappointment in Qatar, the Real Madrid keeper has no thought of retiring from international football. Instead, he has the 2026 World Cup in mind. “Yes, that is my goal. “We still have a good generation and there are players who will join us. I hope that when I leave the Red Devils it will be at a good time, not now,” said Courtois, who is the world’s most valuable goalkeeper with a market value of €60m. From now on he will keep his fingers crossed for Spain and his Real colleagues at this World Cup.

Belgium at the World Cup: tensions in the team, Martínez’s loyalty to Hazard, unhappy Bruyne

According to media reports, there was tension and dissatisfaction within the Belgium squad, according to a report by “The Athletic” it was primarily about football issues. During the tournament, frustrated midfielder Kevin De Bruyne (31) drew attention to himself with some critical statements. “As a team we have to be braver, also on the ball. I adapted to the level of the entire team and that wasn’t enough. I’m expecting a lot more,” said the veteran after the World Cup opening win against Canada about the lack of quality from his point of view. Before the tournament, he even spoke to the “Guardian” of an “aging” team.

Several participants from the dressing room are said to have criticized the fact that coach Roberto Martínez, whose departure is certain, was too loyal to the ailing captain Eden Hazard (31). A source told the portal that Martínez was “cowardly” not to remove Hazard earlier. There is said to have been a heated argument between De Bruyne and central defender Jan Vertonghen (35), which had to be settled by attacker Romelu Lukaku (29). A fruitful crisis meeting followed, and Courtois complained in a press conference that a kind of mole in the squad was making “wrong things” public.

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