Belgium is in confusion as Thibaut Courtois leaves the group due to a disagreement with Romelu Lukaku.
Thibaut Courtois quit the Belgian camp after a disagreement with Red Devils manager Domenico Tedesco, who appointed Romelu Lukaku captain after Kevin De Bruyne withdrew from the group.
The Belgian national team is in disarray after Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois departed the camp following a captaincy disagreement with Romelu Lukaku.
According to reports in Belgium, Courtois was displeased after being snubbed as captain during the Red Devils’ 1-1 tie with Austria on Sunday. Domenico Tedesco appointed Lukaku captain after Kevin De Bruyne withdrew from the squad.
Speaking to the media, Tedesco said: “Together we decided that Romelu would be captain against Austria and Thibaut tomorrow against Estonia.
“That was okay for everyone but after the match, he suddenly wanted to talk to me and said he was going home because he was disappointed and felt offended.
“From the beginning, I tried to show him the appreciation he deserves. In my eyes, he is the best goalkeeper in the world. I love him as a goalkeeper but also as a human being. I am shocked.”
“I was surprised to hear the coach’s press conference in which he gave a partial and subjective account of a private conversation we had after the match against Austria,” Courtois said.
“I want to be clear that this is not the first or last time I have spoken with a coach about locker room issues, but it is the first time that someone has decided to make it public.”I am upset, but I want to emphasize that the coach’s opinions do not correspond to reality.
“I insist that in no case have I demanded anything and that I have spoken to my teammate Lukaku to clarify and circumstances related to this situation.”
Thibaut Courtois’ Fiancee Speaks After Belgium’s Captaincy Dispute With Romelu Lukaku
Gerzig defends Courtois amid row
Gerzig herself waded into the apparent captaincy row, launching a fierce defence of her soon-to-be husband. The Israeli model uploaded two heavily worded posts on her Instagram stories.
The caption was accompanied by a photo of Courtois with a strapped knee in what looked like a jet. The other post featured a photo of the former Chelsea goalkeeper standing alongside Lukaku, with the words
📱| Thibaut Courtois’ fiancée Mishel Gerzig on Instagram: pic.twitter.com/gjWBKqeiw9
— Absolute Belgian Fans 🇧🇪 (@BelgianFans) June 20, 2023
Gerzig added that she was sorry to hear ‘all the rumours’ being ‘spread by people that just waited for the opportunity’ to put Courtois down or harm his name.
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