Courtois joins up with Belgium amid criticism of his return

Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois joined up with his national team for the first time in 22 months on Monday, ending his self-imposed exile in a return which has met with criticism from former internationals. Courtois has not played for Belgium since June 2023 when he had a spat with the team’s coach Domenico Tedesco over […]

Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois joined up with his national team for the first time in 22 months on Monday, ending his self-imposed exile in a return which has met with criticism from former internationals.

Courtois has not played for Belgium since June 2023 when he had a spat with the team’s coach Domenico Tedesco over the captaincy but has returned after the sacking of Tedesco and appointment in January of Rudi Garcia to replace him.

Koen Casteels, who has been Belgium’s regular goalkeeper over the last two years, has quit the national team in protest and other teammates have offered veiled criticism of the Real Madrid goalkeeper’s stayaway.