Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois announced on Thursday (August 22) that he would no longer play for the Belgium national team under current coach Domenico Tedesco.
Courtois, widely regarded as one of the best keepers in the world, was left out of the Belgium squad for the European Championship following a row with Tedesco last year. He was replaced by Koen Casteels for the Euros.
“I feel privileged to have had the honour of wearing the national jersey. Not even in my wildest dreams could I have imagined being able to do so more than 100 times,” Courtois posted in his social media accounts.
The 32-year-old goalkeeper, who suffered an injury but recovered in time to help Real Madrid win the Champions League in June, added the Belgian FA has accepted his position and the reasons that led to the decision.
Tedesco’s tactics raised questions about whether he was the right man for the job after Belgium were eliminated by France in the last 16 of the Euros.