Thierry Courtois Discusses Thibaut's Exclusion from Belgium's Euro 2024 Squad

Thierry Courtois, father of Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, has shed light on his son's current situation with the Belgian national team. According to Thierry, Thibaut has expressed his opinion and needs rest before the next season.

Thibaut Courtois, the 32-year-old Real Madrid goalkeeper, has had a challenging season marked by significant injuries. He ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in August and later tore the meniscus in his right knee in March. Despite these setbacks, Courtois made a triumphant return to Real Madrid, helping the team win the Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund.

Following his recovery, Courtois was left out of Belgium's preliminary squad for Euro 2024. This decision was influenced not only by his long-term injuries but also by a reported breach of trust with the national team's coach, Domenico Tedesco. The rift between Courtois and Tedesco has been a significant factor in his exclusion from the squad, as reported by Yahoo Sports.

Thierry Courtois emphasized the importance of rest for Thibaut before the next season. He mentioned that Thibaut has been vocal about his need for recovery time. This perspective aligns with the physical demands of the past season, during which Thibaut endured months of rehabilitation and intense effort to return to peak performance.

Courtois' exclusion from the Belgian squad means that the team will rely on other goalkeepers for their Euro 2024 campaign. The squad includes Wolfsburg's Koen Casteels, Luton goalkeeper Thomas Kaminski, and Nottingham Forest's Matz Sels. Belgium's first match in the tournament is scheduled for June 17 against Slovakia.

Thibaut Courtois has expressed his feelings about his path and accomplishments this season. After winning the Champions League final, he shared on Instagram, *"When you know so many months of sacrifice have been worth it." * His determination and resilience were evident in his performance, particularly during critical moments in the match.

The strained relationship between Courtois and Tedesco remains a subject of concern. Courtois has alleged a breach of trust, while Tedesco has maintained that the goalkeeper is not ready for the Euros on account of his injury. This discord has undoubtedly influenced the decision to exclude Courtois from the national squad, as reported by The New York Times.

As Belgium prepares for Euro 2024, the absence of a key player like Courtois will be felt. However, the goalkeeper's focus on recovery and readiness for the next season with Real Madrid takes precedence. His path this past season highlights the challenges and triumphs faced by professional athletes.

Key Takeaways

• Thibaut Courtois' father says his son needs rest before next season.
• Courtois was left out of Belgium's Euro 2024 squad due to injuries and rift with coach.
• Belgium will rely on other goalkeepers, including Koen Casteels and Thomas Kaminski.
• Courtois won the Champions League final with Real Madrid despite significant injuries.
• Courtois' focus is on recovery and readiness for next season with Real Madrid.