Belgium manager Domenico Tedesco confirms reports Thibaut Courtois walked out on international duty because he was ‘offended’ that Inter striker Romelu Lukaku was named captain. ‘I am shocked.’
The story emerged in Nieuwsblad Sport this morning, suggesting the goalkeeper did not show up at the team hotel for Tuesday’s match against Estonia.
With Kevin De Bruyne injured, goalkeeper Courtois felt he should’ve been next in line to take the armband and was so angry at Lukaku getting the nod that he walked off.
“Together we decided that Romelu would be captain against Austria and Thibaut tomorrow against Estonia,” Tedesco said in a press conference today.
“That was OK for everyone but after the match he [Courtois] suddenly wanted to talk to me and said he was going home because he was disappointed and felt offended.
“From the beginning I tried to show him the appreciation he deserves. In my eyes he is the best goalkeeper in the world. I love him as a goalkeeper, but also as a human being. I am shocked.”
The match with Austria ended 1-1 on Sunday with Lukaku as captain.
It remains to be seen how this will affect the future with Courtois and the Belgium squad, but also is extremely undermining to any respect Inter striker Lukaku has within the locker room.
Tedesco also blew open the attempts to hide the argument with suggestions Courtois had a knee injury.
“I wish I could say it’s an injury but I can’t lie,” Tedesco said. “I always try to protect players but that’s impossible in this situation. I tried to tell him to hold on for two more days.”