Why Is Thibaut Courtois Not Playing for Belgium in Euro 2024 vs Slovakia?

The UEFA Euro 2024 is undeniably a premier event, showcasing some of the world’s most elite talents vying for the coveted title. This day marks Belgium’s commencement of its campaign with a match against Slovakia. Nevertheless, an important figure missing from the Belgian lineup is the renowned goalkeeper, Thibaut Courtois.

The 32-year-old’s exclusion comes as a surprise considering his recent performance. He played impeccably in Real Madrid’s Champions League final victory, where his vital contributions were instrumental in securing Los Blancos’ 15th title. Despite his evident fitness and form, one must question why Belgium’s head coach Domenico Tedesco has chosen not to include him for Euro 2024.

The real reason behind Thibaut Courtois’ expulsion from Euro 2024

Significantly, Thibaut Courtois has been completely excluded from the Euro 2024 squad and will not occupy even a bench position. A significant contributing factor to this decision is the injury the Real Madrid star sustained before the 2023/24 season. The Belgian star tore his cruciate ligament, causing him to miss most of the season. Despite his return and participation in four matches for Real Madrid, Coach Domenico Tedesco has determined that Courtois is not yet fit for the tournament.

In outlining his decision ahead of Euro 2024, Belgium’s head coach elaborated during a press conference: “He was honest and clear. He knows his body the best, and it’s different to play every three or four days during a tournament. So, when taking all this into consideration, we didn’t think he was ready for the Euros.”

Thus, while it is true that Thibaut Courtois made a comeback post-injury, missing such a substantial portion of the season ultimately led Tedesco to exclude him from selection. However, a dispute between the two parties could have influenced the decision.

The high tension between Courtois and Domenico Tedesco

There has been a notable tension between Thibaut Courtois and Domenico Tedesco, dating back to 17 June 2023. This friction surfaced when Romelu Lukaku was appointed captain for Belgium’s European Championship qualifier against Austria in the absence of Kevin De Bruyne.

The ex-Chelsea star expressed a desire to assume the captaincy and was reportedly displeased with the coach’s decision to bestow the armband upon Lukaku instead. Courtois has not played for Belgium since that match and subsequently addressed his grievances publicly.

In a revelatory statement, he remarked, “The fact that I no longer felt appreciated by the association and the coach made something explode inside me. The coach did not try to find a solution, but simply said that he would tell the press everything.” While it remains unconfirmed whether this dispute directly led to Courtois being excluded, it is an aspect that cannot be dismissed outright.

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