Courtois regrets: “I made mistakes but I didn’t feel any respect”
Real Madrid goalkeeper returns to Belgium squad almost two years after Tedesco left as national team coach
Returning to Belgium ‘s squad for this March 2025 training camp after having resigned from the national team almost two years ago, Thibaut Courtois clarified the situation in a press conference ahead of the double clash with Ukraine for the Nations League .
The goalkeeper revealed that, upon arriving at the Tubize training centre on Monday, he spoke in front of the group and explained his motivation to move forward. «It was good to be able to speak in front of the players so that everything is clear, because a lot of false things were said. We are not going to talk about it anymore, I am relieved», he began by saying.
The Real Madrid player also expressed regret for suddenly leaving the team in the middle of a training camp in June 2023: «I made mistakes. There is no doubt that, mentally, I was going through a difficult period after my great and long season, marked by injuries. I felt that there were problems with the coach.»
However, he explained that his relationship with Tedesco, replaced by Rudi Garcia, was not favourable for the squad: «I didn’t feel any respect. The coach never came to see me. I had never seen anything like that in 16 years. At that moment, I exploded, I didn’t understand. I have a winning mentality and I’m not an easy character…»
His return is scheduled for this Thursday, in Murcia.
