Thibaut Courtois hits back at Belgium head coach Domenico Tedesco over ‘offended’ captaincy claim

Thibaut Courtois has hit back at claims that he didn’t travel with Belgium to Estonia for their Euro 2024 qualifier after being “offended” at being overlooked for the captaincy.

Romelu Lukaku was captain for the match in the absence of injured regular captain Kevin De Bruyne.

Courtois was due to take over as captain for the game against Estonia, but left the squad following the draw with Austria.

“Together we decided that Romelu would be captain against Austria and Thibaut tomorrow against Estonia,” said Belgium head coach Domenico Tedesco.

“That was OK for everyone but after the match he [Courtois] suddenly wanted to talk to me and said he was going home because he was disappointed and felt offended.

“And of course, I tried several times to speak to him: ‘Don’t do that, to me, don’t do that to the staff, don’t do that to the team.’ Because it’s a tough one, it’s a hard decision that he took.

“From the beginning I tried to show him the appreciation he deserves. In my eyes he is the best goalkeeper in the world. I love him as a goalkeeper but also as a human being. I am shocked.”

However, Tedesco dismissed those claims.

“I wish I could say it’s an injury but I can’t lie. I always try to protect players but that’s impossible in this situation. I tried to tell him to hold on for two more days.”

Strasbourg goalkeeper Matz Sels is set to start in Courtois’ place.

“This afternoon I was surprised to hear the coach’s press conference in which he gave a partial and subjective account of a private conversation we had after the match against Austria,” wrote Courtois.

“I want to make it clear that it is not the first time or the last time that I talk to a coach about issues related to a locker room, but it is the first time that someone decides to tell it publicly.

“I am deeply disappointed with this, but I want to make it clear that the coach’s assessments do not fit with reality.

“I insist that in no case have I demanded anything and that I have spoken to my team-mate Romelu Lukaku to clarify any circumstances relating to this situation.”

Tedesco would not be drawn on Courtois’ long-term future with Belgium.

“It’s not the right time to say anything about that, because we have an important game tomorrow,” he said.

“The next games are in September and we will see then.”

Belgium are second in Group F, three points behind leaders Austria but with a game in hand.

Tedesco took over from Roberto Martinez following Belgium’s group-stage exit at the 2022 World Cup.