Thibaut Courtois, the Real Madrid goalkeeper, has announced his readiness to return to the Belgium national team after overcoming tensions with former coach Domenico Tedesco. Speaking candidly, Courtois expressed his eagerness to participate once again, saying, "I miss playing for Belgium. I miss playing at major tournaments. It's been a year and a half, now I am ready," as reported by Fabrizio Romano.
Courtois, who has been sidelined from the national squad due to his conflicts with Tedesco, last played for Belgium back in June 2023 during a qualifying match for Euro 2024 against Austria. The conflict revolved primarily around Courtois not being appointed captain when injured star midfielder Kevin De Bruyne was absent, which reportedly left him feeling undervalued.
"I didn't feel the same respect as I had at my club. That, combined with problems with the Belgian press, led to some explosive moments," Courtois reflected during his interview on the YouTube channel Koora Break, shedding light on the internal struggles he faced during Tedesco's tenure.
With Tedesco’s dismissal from the coaching role earlier this year, Courtois now finds himself with renewed hope under the guidance of new coach Rudi Garcia. The upcoming matches against Ukraine, scheduled for March 20 and 23, offer Courtois the opportunity to re-establish his place within the team fabric.
Belgium will contest these pivotal encounters as they pursue opportunities to ascend from the lower divisions of the UEFA Nations League. The first match will take place in Murcia, followed by another clash set for Genk. The excitement surrounding Courtois's potential return is palpable, as he has previously amassed 102 caps with the national team, showcasing his contributions during significant tournaments.
Throughout his career, Courtois has been central to Belgium's achievements on the international stage, and his absence has been noticeably felt. The goalkeeper is eager to step back onto the international scene, stating, "It's been one and a half years, and now I can say I miss playing for the Belgium national team and am ready to compete at major tournaments," as noted by Sports.kz.
The path leading back to the Belgian squad has been rocky, but Courtois' resolute mindset serves as testimony to his commitment to his national team. Fans and analysts alike are watching closely to see if he can bring his celebrated skills back to the pitch when the squad faces off against Ukraine.
With the morale of the national team expected to rise and the presence of Courtois likely to make waves, these matches represent not just another chance to compete but also to solidify his comeback and hence the team's resilience following past conflicts.