Belgium’s rightful first goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois went home in the middle of the European Championship qualifiers and will not play against Estonia on Tuesday.
Belgium’s other Vice-Captain Romelu Lukaku (right) wore the captain’s armband against Austria in place of Thibaut Courtois. PDO
Thibaut Courtois, the star goalkeeper of the Belgian national team and Real Madrid, has refused to travel to Tallinn, where Belgium will face Estonia in the European Championship qualifiers on Tuesday. Courtois opted to be left out of the squad after not receiving the captain’s armband in Belgium’s previous match against Austria.
Usually skipping Belgium Kevin De Bruyne after being sidelined for the match against Austria, head coach Domenico Tedesco handed the captain’s armband to Romelu Lukaku, who will share the vice-captain role with Courtois. Courtois was not happy with Tedesco’s decision.
– After the match, Thibaut suddenly wanted to talk to me. He told me he was coming home because he was disappointed and felt hurt,” Tedesco told a press conference on Monday, according to AFP.
– In my opinion, he is the best goalkeeper in the world. I respect him as a goalkeeper and also as a person. I am surprised and upset that he felt hurt and betrayed.
According to Tedesco, the national team had decided on the captaincy in March. At that time, De Bruyne was chosen as captain and Lukaku and Courtois as vice-captains.
Courtois says in his own statement that he is surprised by Tedesco’s comments. According to him, Tedesco’s explanation gave a “partial and subjective picture of the private conversation”.
– The choice of the captain is not a whim or a random decision, it is his (Tedesco’s) choice.
According to the Belgian media, Courtois’ decision to abandon the national team came as a surprise to his teammates as well.
Courtois’ place in Belgium’s goal against Estonia will be taken by someone representing Strasbourg Matz Sels. Belgium has four points after two games and is in second place in Group F after Austria.