Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois will not play for Belgium in the Nations League campaign but has not retired from international football.
Courtois, 34, said he made the decision to take a break after a recent meeting with new national team manager Mark van Bommel.
“He [Van Bommel] said that he couldn’t guarantee me a place in the starting lineup,” Courtois told Belgian newspaper HLN after making key saves to help Real Madrid win 2-1 against Inter Milan in Tuesday’s Champions League game.
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“I have decided not to play the entire Nations League campaign with the Red Devils. Unless the national team manager faces problems with injuries; in that case, I may be called up on an exceptional basis. That also means I won’t be playing in a potential [Nations League] Final Four.”
Courtois had already indicated he would take a rest from the national team after starting for Belgium in their six games at the 2026 World Cup.
However, the veteran goalkeeper intends to return to the fold for the 2028 European Championship qualifiers, scheduled for March next year, knowing he will have to fight to regain his starting place.
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“I’m making myself available again for the Euro qualifiers,” Courtois said. “If the goalkeeper playing in the Nations League performs well, Van Bommel might stick with him. However, I want to fight for my place. I want to prove that I’m the first-choice goalkeeper again.”
Belgium are in Group A of the Nations League alongside France, Italy and Turkey. The play six matches over the next three months.
