In recent years, the Belgians were considered one of the secret favorites at almost every major tournament – but there were no notable successes, only arguments and nagging. Thibaut Courtois, who has not played for the Red Devils since June 2023 but is now officially returning, also played a part in this.
A few days ago, it had already become apparent that Thibaut Courtois would return to the national team. Koen Casteels (283 Bundesliga appearances for Hoffenheim, Bremen and Wolfsburg) had therefore announced his retirement from the national team, complaining that the Belgian Football Association (KBVB) was rolling out the red carpet for the Real Madrid goalkeeper and calling it “very strange” that the 2018 FIFA World’s Best Goalkeeper “can decide for himself whether to return”.
Courtois had not played an international match since June 2023 when he and the then national coach Domenico Tedesco had a falling out after the German coach gave striker Romelu Lukaku the captain’s armband in the absence of Kevin De Bruyne – and not Courtois, who then played the offended liver sausage and made it clear that that he no longer wanted to play under Tedesco.
Tedesco had subsequently put his faith in Casteels in goal, but was forced to pack his bags in January following a series of disappointing results. His successor Rudi Garcia made no secret of his desire to bring Courtois back – and that is exactly what he is doing. “I have decided to make a fresh start,” the Frenchman announced when he presented his squad for the play-off duels in the Nations League against Ukraine (March 20-23).
Two Bundesliga professionals in the squad
Garcia also hinted that he would rely on Courtois as number one, after all, he considers him to be one of the “best goalkeepers in the world”. In addition to Courtois, two Bundesliga professionals, Arthur Theate (Eintracht Frankfurt) and Lois Openda (RB Leipzig), also made it into the squad.
The Belgians are playing against Ukraine to avoid relegation from the A League of the Nations League, after finishing third in the group stage behind France and Italy.
