Belgium’s top goalkeeper, Koen Casteels, has left the national team because Thibaut Courtois was allowed to return.
Koen Casteels has announced his immediate retirement from international football.
He is unhappy with the Belgian FA’s decision to permit Courtois to rejoin the national squad.
Casteels revealed his decision to stop playing for his country in an interview on the Belgian podcast MidMid.
He stated: “It’s strange that the football association has completely changed its stance and is welcoming him back so enthusiastically.”
“Firstly, I find it odd that Courtois can decide on his own terms if he wants to return.”
“It’s not really about Thibaut, but more about the football association. It doesn’t align with my values of what a team sport or sporting organisation should be.”
“As of today, I am no longer available for the national team.”
Courtois had previously stepped away from Belgium duty following a disagreement with former coach Domenico Tedesco.
His last appearance for the Red Devils was in June 2023, and he missed Euro 2024, where Casteels played every minute.
Courtois, who has played 102 times for Belgium, clashed with Tedesco over the captaincy.
The Real Madrid goalkeeper explained his reason for leaving, saying: “If it was just about the captaincy, I would have quit in March [when Tedesco chose De Bruyne as captain].”
“Kevin as captain? No problem. But then Romelu [Lukaku] and I were vice-captains without any clear order.”
“When he announced that Romelu would be captain against Austria and I would be captain against Estonia on Tuesday, something broke inside me. I couldn’t take it anymore.”
“The fact that I felt a lack of respect from the federation and the coach made me explode.”
“The coach didn’t try to find a solution but just said he would tell the press everything. He wanted to pressure me not to leave and threaten me.”
