Former Chelsea star Thibaut Courtois revealed the reason for being kicked out of the team’s WhatsApp group.
Thibaut Courtois has revealed he has been removed from Belgium’s WhatsApp group after making an unusual request in the summer. The former goalkeeper of “Chelsea” asked to take a one-year break from national football after the elimination of Belgium from the World Cup.
The 34-year-old started the quarter-final against Spain but was substituted in tears during the 2-1 defeat, replaced by Senne Lammens. Courtois appeared to be struggling with a left thigh problem, although he later insisted the injury had not significantly affected him, explaining that the decision to substitute him was made by manager Rudy Garcia.
The change proved costly in the end, with Manchester United goalkeeper Lammens making a late mistake that allowed Mikel Merino to score Spain’s winner. Courtois was conspicuously destroyed at the final whistle as Belgium’s World Cup campaign came to a heartbreaking end.
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In an interview in the summer, Courtois admitted: “I want to rest for a year without a Belgium game and then play Euro 2028 and Euro 2028 qualifiers. I don’t know if Belgium will agree to that.”
Courtois has now revealed he has been removed from the national team’s WhatsApp group, although he played down the incident, insisting he has been in touch with several teammates.
Despite the setback, the goalkeeper is confident he will represent the Red Devils once again after the appointment of new manager Mark van Bommel. The goalkeeper said in an interview to DAZN: “They kicked me out of the players’ WhatsApp group.
“This group is for sharing information like training schedules. There are a few messages now and then, but not many.
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“After the first meeting with Van Bommel, everyone was quite satisfied. The team is on the right track, and so is the coach. This team has a great future.”
It is unclear whether Courtois will be recalled to the Belgium squad as international action is set to resume in November.
Should Courtois decide to retire permanently from international football, Lammens and Chelsea youngster Mike Penders will battle it out for Belgium’s No.1 spot.
“I never went into the national team thinking I would automatically play,” he said. “I know my qualities and I know I can be important for the team.
“No one should guarantee me a starting place. If Senne Lammens, Maarten Vandevoordt or Mike Penders have performed well and the coach prefers to play them, there is no problem. It does not bother me at all.”
Courtois, who played 115 games for the Belgian national team, spent 7 years at Chelsea between 2011 and 2018 before leaving the club and moving to Real Madrid, where he still plies his trade.