Thibaut Courtois fires shot at Belgium star who sensationally quit national team in protest against Real Madrid goalkeeper

Thibaut Courtois has called out his former Belgium teammate who retired from international duty after learning of the goalkeeper's impending return to the national team set-up.

The 31-year-old looks set to feature for Belgium in their Nations League double-header against Ukraine this week, just seven months after quitting the national team following a dispute with former manager Domenico Tedesco.

Courtois last played for Belgium in a European Championship qualifier against Austria on June 17, 2024.

Two days later, the Real Madrid goalkeeper was left out of their clash against Estonia, with Tedesco claiming he refused to travel because he was "offended" at being overlooked for the captaincy against Austria.

Not long after the incident, Courtois was not included in Tedesco's 25-man squad for Euro 2024, which led the experienced goalkeeper to release a statement.

“Following the events with the coach and after much reflection, I have decided not to return to the Belgian national team under his management," he said.

Tedesco was sacked in January after less than two years in charge and a short time later, former Roma manager Rudi Garcia was appointed as the new Belgium head coach.

One of his first major decisions was to recall Courtois to his squad. “He will be back," Garcia said, "It’s excellent news for Belgium. I always considered Thibaut the best goalkeeper in the world."

However, after the news emerged, Wolfsburg goalkeeper Koen Casteels decided to step back from international duty.

“It’s strange that the football association has turned 180 degrees to roll out the red carpet and welcome him back with open arms,” he told the MIDMID podcast. “It’s a bit strange that Courtois can decide for himself whether he can come back.

“It’s not so much towards Thibaut, but the football association. This does not fit with the standards and values I have about what a team sport should have. As of today, I am no longer available [for the national team].”

Courtois and Casteels pictured during a training session in 2018. Image credit: Getty

Ahead of their Nations League clash against Ukraine on Thursday, Courtois was asked about Casteels' decision to retire from international duty in his pre-match press conference alongside Youri Tielemans.

"I can understand Koen, because he was number one and now I'm returning," he said. "But the football association wanted me back from the start, so I made myself available again.

"It's not like I arranged all this myself. The other things he said, that there is even more dissatisfaction? No idea. If you say something, you should also name it, I think."

He added: "I can't do much more than perform on the field. To the fans I am very sorry that it turned out this way, but it didn't help that wrong or incomplete stories came out."

Tielemans also chipped in with his opinion. "We certainly didn't need that bomb from Koen in this situation. Of course it was discussed, but the most important thing is that Thibaut was able to clarify everything and tell his story," he said.

"The most important thing is that he realises that certain things went wrong for the group of players, but that he indicated that he didn't mean it that way."