Belgium Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois Returns to National Team Amid Criticism

Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has rejoined the national team after a 22-month absence, sparking criticism from former internationals. Courtois' return has been met with criticism from former coach Marc Wilmots and former defender Philippe Albert, who feel he disrespected the team by walking out. New coach Rudi Garcia said there would be a discussion with Courtois over his walkout and past criticism of teammates. Courtois' low-key arrival at the training camp received extensive media coverage.

Thibaut Courtois, the Real Madrid goalkeeper, is set to make his long-awaited return to the Belgian national team after a 22-month absence. The 32-year-old's inclusion in the squad for the UEFA Nations League playoff against Ukraine has sparked controversy, with former internationals criticizing his behavior and disrespect towards the team.

Courtois' absence from the Belgian side began in June 2023 when he had a spat with former coach Domenico Tedesco over the captaincy. This led to the goalkeeper sitting out the 2024 European Championship, but his change of heart following Tedesco's sacking and the appointment of Rudi Garcia as the new coach has seen him welcomed back into the fold.

However, Courtois' return has not been met with open arms. Former coach Marc Wilmots and defender Philippe Albert have expressed their disappointment with the goalkeeper's actions, feeling that he disrespected the team by walking out. Koen Casteels, who has been the first-choice goalkeeper in Courtois' absence, also quit the national team last Sunday, criticizing the decision to accept the former keeper's wish to return.

Garcia, who debuts as the Belgian coach in the Nations League playoff, has indicated that there will be discussions with Courtois regarding his past behavior and criticism of teammates. However, he has also stated that he is starting with a blank slate and is not going to dwell on what happened years ago.

The Belgian squad, which includes goalkeepers Thibaut Courtois, Senne Lammens, Matz Sels, and Maarten Vandevoordt, as well as defenders Timothy Castagne, Zeno Debast, De Cuyper, Koni De Winter, Wout Faes, Brandon Mechele, Thomas Meunier, and Arthur Theate, midfielders Kevin De Bruyne, Bryan Heynen, Jorthy Mokio, Nicolas Raskin, and Youri Tielemans, and forwards Romelu Lukaku and Dries Mertens, will face Ukraine in the two-leg Nations League playoff. The first leg is scheduled for March 17th in Murcia, Spain, and the return leg will take place on March 23rd in Genk.