Thibaut Courtois’ bizarre no-show at Belgium’s training session on Sunday has taken a turn for the worse after new reports claimed his teammates are questioning whether the behavior is related to his marriage next week.
An earlier report on Monday claimed an irate Courtois failed to report for Belgian service on Sunday after Romelu Lukaku was named captain for the draw with Austria on his behalf.
In the absence of usual captain Kevin De Bruyne, Lukaku led the Red Devils out on Saturday, passing Courtois for the role in a pre-planned move by manager Domenico Tedesco. Instead, the goalkeeper would captain against Estonia.
However, Courtois objected to the decision and was not present when the side gathered at their hotel to begin preparations for their next Euro 2024 qualifier, according to The newspapaerwhich he now seems to miss.
But now the same Dutch news center has released more details about the sagawho claimed that Courtois could not be persuaded in a late-night phone call — which lasted until 4 a.m. — by Tedesco, and that his teammates believe his marriage could play a role in his walkout next week.
Thibaut Courtois’ teammates are reportedly wondering if his departure from Belgium is linked to his wedding to model fiancé, Mishel Gerzig, (pictured left, right) next week
Real Madrid goalkeeper Courtois is pictured proposing to his Israeli supermodel on a yacht
The couple will tie the knot next week and have been dating since the summer of 2021
Courtois will marry his fiancé, Israeli supermodel Mishel Gerzig, in the south of France next week in what will be a two-day celebration with more than 300 guests attending his special day.
Het Nieuwsblad reports that the Real Madrid goalkeeper was given extra time off last Monday to arrange something for his wedding.
The Belgian players were also given Sunday morning off after the draw with Austria to spend with friends and family before reporting to Tubize on the night Courtois failed to show up.
This led to Tedesco and Belgian FA chief Frank Vercauteren attempting to resolve the matter with Courtois in the early hours of Monday morning.
The former Chelsea and Atlético Madrid goalkeeper has also been reported to have a slight punch, which Het Nieuwsblad claims asked Tedesco to ‘sell his absence due to injury’.
Tedesco reportedly refused, suggesting that Courtois himself explain the reasons for the absence.
“Thibaut Courtois is very important to us,” Tedesco said on Saturday night. “I can’t tell you how much I appreciate him.
According to reports in his home country, Courtois did not join the rest of the squad at their hotel after he lashed out at teammates following Belgium’s draw with Austria.
‘On Saturday I had a conversation with Romelu and Thibaut about the captain’s armband. Against Austria it was Lukaku, against Estonia Thibaut gets the credit.
“It’s important to us that he feels valued.”
Courtois is said to have ripped into the dressing room after the final whistle against some teammates, a game in which striker Lukaku’s equalizer saved his team’s blush, with players thinking there was more to his blunder after his absence.
It is currently unclear how Tedesco will react to the veteran player’s drastic move, but a press conference scheduled for tonight could provide more clarity.
Back-up keeper Matz Sels, formerly on the books at Newcastle, could even replace Courtois between the sticks tomorrow, with Koen Casteels ruled out.
Reserve options Thomas Kaminski and Arnaud Bodart are also eligible to play.
Courtois made a total of 102 appearances for Belgium, but is about to be dropped against Estonia
Red Devils boss Domenico Tedesco will discuss the matter during his press conference today
Former Chelsea goalkeeper Courtois made a total of 102 appearances for Belgium, making his senior debut in a friendly goalless draw against France in 2011.
He has not yet achieved great success on the international stage, but did earn a World Cup bronze medal after his country finished third in Russia in 2018.
Belgium are currently second in their qualifying group with four points, three points behind leaders Austria – who have played one more game.
Meanwhile, De Bruyne will return to action in September after breaking his hamstring during Manchester City’s Champions League final against Inter Milan.