Courtois shakes up Belgium national team with huge announcement: ‘Not going to play any Nations League matches’
Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has announced he will skip Belgium's upcoming Nations League matches to focus on his club career. He remains open to returning for the Euro 2028 qualifying campaign but acknowledges he will have to compete for his starting spot.
Why it matters
This reflects the ongoing tension between club and international football commitments for elite athletes.
Thibaut Courtois has confirmed that he will not play for Belgium during the upcoming Nations League campaign, including the Final Four.
The Real Madrid goalkeeper is instead targeting a potential return for Euro 2028 qualifying in March 2027.
Courtois made the announcement after Real Madrid's 2-1 Champions League victory over Inter , where he produced another impressive performance .
Speaking to the media in the mixed zone, the goalkeeper confirmed that he will step away from Belgium for the Nations League, unless injuries leave the squad short of options.
"No, I'm not going to play any Nations League matches, not even the Final Four, unless the coach needs me because there are too many injuries," he said, as quoted by AS .
The decision means Courtois is deliberately putting his international career on hold rather than bringing it to an end.
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