Courtois takes break from Belgium duty for Nations League

Thibaut Courtois will not feature in Belgium’s upcoming Nations League matches. The Real Madrid goalkeeper confirmed to the press on Wednesday that he was taking a one-year international break, forgoing notably the two clashes against France scheduled for late September and early October.

Courtois specified that he had informed Belgium manager Mark van Bommel of his decision, while indicating he intended to return during Euro 2028 qualifying. His absence is all the more notable given that the Madrid shot-stopper had just delivered a high-level performance Tuesday evening against Inter Milan in the Champions League.

Manager van Bommel did not guarantee Courtois he would automatically reclaim his number one spot upon his return. “Mark van Bommel told me he couldn’t guarantee me a starting place. If the goalkeeper who plays the Nations League puts in good performances, the manager could continue to trust him,” Courtois reported. Far from taking offence, the goalkeeper sees it as a source of motivation: “I want to fight and prove I can become number one again.”

On the French side, this September-October schedule promises to be busy and historic. Zinédine Zidane, officially appointed this summer to succeed Didier Deschamps, will direct his first matches in charge of the Blues. France will travel to Turkey on 25 September, then to Belgium on 28 September, before hosting Italy at Stade de France on 2 October and facing the Red Devils at home on 5 October.