Casteels retires from Belgium duty over Courtois return / Photo: © BELGA/AFP
Casteels retires from Belgium duty over Courtois return
Belgium goalkeeper Koen Casteels announced Sunday that he was "no longer available" for international duty, ahead of the likely return from exile of Real Madrid shotstopper Thibaut Courtois.
The 32-year-old was the first-choice goalkeeper for Belgium at Euro 2024, after Courtois had walked out on the Belgian national team following a disagreement with then coach Domenico Tedesco.
Since the arrival of Rudi Garcia as coach in January, Courtois has stated his desire to return form the international wilderness.
With Garcia saying at the time of his appointment: "Even if there is quality in goal with Matz Sels and Koen Casteels, we are counting on Thibaut, who I consider to be the best goalkeeper in the world."
But Casteels said on a Playsports podcast on Sunday that "(he is) no longer available for the national team".
"I find it a bit strange that Thibaut Courtois can decide for himself whether he can come back. And I find it very strange that the federation should flip-flop in this way and roll out the red carpet.
"There are a lot of players who think the same as I do," Casteels added.
Now at Saudi club Al Qadsiah, Casteels earned 20 caps for Belgium since making his debut in 2020.
Courtois had taken the decision to step away from representing his country after being offended by not being named captain for a match against Austria in June 2023.
According to Belgian outlet Sudinfo, not all the players seem to be in favour of Courtois' return -- a situation likely to complicate Garcia's start to life in his new role.
The Frenchman is set to announce his first squad on Friday, ahead of Belgium's Nations League play-off tie with Ukraine later in March.
A.Robinson--TNT
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