Sports
Real Madrid goal keeper Courtois suspends Belgium career until 2027
Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has announced that he will put his Belgium international career on hold until September 2027.
The 34-year-old goalkeeper, who has made 115 appearances for the Belgian national team, last featured for the Red Devils at this summer’s World Cup.
Courtois is expected to remain unavailable for Belgium’s upcoming Nations League campaign under new head coach Mark Van Bommel. Belgium will begin their campaign against Italy on September 25.
The goalkeeper is instead set to return to the national team setup next year when Belgium begin their preparations for the Euro 2028 qualifiers.
Van Bommel told Courtois beforehand he was unable to guarantee him the starting No. 1 shirt.
“I have made the choice not to play the entire Nations League campaign with the Red Devils,” Courtois told Belgian newspaper Het Laatste Nieuws after Madrid’s 2-1 Champions League win over Inter Milan on Tuesday.
“Unless the national coach runs into injury problems; then I can be called up exceptionally,” he added.
Options for Van Bommel in goal in Courtois’ absence include Manchester United’s 24-year-old Senne Lammens and Chelsea’s 21-year-old Mike Penders.
“I am making myself available again for the European Championship qualifiers,” Courtois said.
“If the goalkeeper playing in the Nations League performs well, Van Bommel might continue with him.
“However, I want to fight for my place. I want to prove that I can be the first-choice keeper again,” Courtois added.
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