Image: APA/Kenzo Tribouillard
According to media reports, the goalkeeper did not appear at the meeting point in Tubize on Sunday and will therefore miss Tuesday’s European Championship qualifier in Estonia. Courtois is said to be unhappy that coach Domenico Tedesco had nominated Romelu Lukaku as captain against Austria.
However, there was also talk of a knee injury to the keeper. Courtois should have arrived in Tallinn as captain.
Since the nominal captain Kevin de Bruyne is currently injured, there was a lot of guesswork even before the 1-1 draw against the ÖFB team as to who would lead Belgium onto the field in Brussels. Tedesco opted for Inter striker Lukaku in the first game of the qualifying doubles. A decision Courtois reportedly took poorly. Before the home game in Brussels he was honored for his 100th game in the national jersey, his girlfriend Mishel Gerzig – the wedding is planned for next week – was flown in from Madrid for this.
A question of appreciation
As the Belgian FA confirmed on Monday, the Real Madrid goalkeeper will not be on the plane to Estonia. The reason for this was not given, Tedesco will attend a press conference in Tallinn on Monday evening. “Thibaut Courtois is very important for us. I can’t even say how much I appreciate him,” said the coach on Saturday evening when asked about his decision on the captain’s question. “It’s important for us that he feels valued,” Tedesco said of Courtois.
“Bomb in the Red Devils” was the headline in the newspaper “Het Nieuwsblad”, which reported that the 31-year-old did not show up at the team hotel on Sunday evening. He is also said to have a minor knee injury. This was apparently not confirmed by the association.
Belgium is aiming for a mandatory victory in the Baltic States. After the draw against Austria, the group favorites have four points from two games.
Source: Nachrichten
