Koen Casteels, the goalkeeper for Belgium, has resigned from the national team in protest over Thibaut Courtois’s expected comeback to the team.
Courtois chose not to play following a confrontation with former coach Domenico Tedesco
While Courtois chose not to play following a confrontation with former coach Domenico Tedesco, Casteels has been Belgium’s first pick for the past 18 months. However, Courtois has stated that he is prepared to return since Belgium hired Rudi Garcia as their coach in January.
With Garcia saying at the time of his appointment: “Even if there is quality in goal with Matz Sels and Koen Casteels, we are counting on Thibaut, who I consider to be the best goalkeeper in the world.”
Courtois has been at his exceptional best since coming back from an ACL injury in 2024. He has been Real Madrid’s first choice goalkeeper and also played the Champions League final in 2024 even though Andriy Lunin was fantastic throughout the season.
But Casteels said on a PlaySports podcast on Sunday that “(he is) no longer available for the national team”.
The football association rolling out the red carpet
“It’s strange that the football association has turned 180 degrees and is rolling out the red carpet and welcoming him back with open arms,” Casteels told the Belgian podcast, aired on Sunday.
“For me, we are all equal, no player is above the team. That was the case at the beginning, but now the federation has rolled out the red carpet for him.
“I recently heard him say about Tedesco’s dismissal that it shows that he was right. For me, that shows little sense of guilt.”
Courtois had taken the decision to step away from representing his country after being offended by not being named captain for a match against Austria in June 2023.
“This does not conform to the standards and values that I consider appropriate for a team sport. I cannot be part of an organisation that approves this type of behaviour.
“As of today I am no longer available for the national team. I cannot go to the national team with a clear conscience.
“There are a lot of players who think the same as I do,” Casteels added.
The post Koen Casteels, The Belgian Goalkeeper, Resigns The National Team Over Thibaut Courtois’s Comeback appeared first on Sports Digest.
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