Thibaut Courtois ruled out of Euro 2024 after acrimonious fallout with coach

One of the major headlines leading up to Real Madrid's Champions League semifinal clash against Bayern Munich was the long-awaited return of Thibaut Courtois. After an arduous 271 days on the sidelines, the Belgian shot-stopper made his comeback, albeit starting the match on the bench.  

Courtois has always been a pivotal asset for Real between the sticks, but the 31-year-old's season took a sour turn when he suffered a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee before the current campaign even began last summer. Just as he was nearing the final stages of his recovery in March, fate dealt him another blow, as he encountered a similar problem in the internal meniscus of his other leg.

Despite making a complete recovery and regaining his fitness well in time for Belgium's squad announcement for the Euro 2024, the national team delivered a clear message that the experienced goalkeeper would not be part of the selection.

Belgium coach Domenico Tedesco addressed the matter during a press briefing on Tuesday: "On this matter, everything has already been discussed. I don't wish to engage in a back-and-forth. Our focus is on players who are currently in good physical condition."

Courtois burst onto the international scene at the tender age of 19, making his debut for Belgium back in 2011. Since then, he has gone on to represent his country with distinction, accumulating an impressive tally of 102 appearances. He has been an integral part of Belgium's golden generation, featuring prominently in multiple World Cups and Euros.

But the relationship between Courtois and Tedesco has been strained since Tedesco's appointment in February 2023. Courtois, who had previously held the captaincy, was overlooked when Romelu Lukaku was chosen as captain due to Kevin De Bruyne's injury. This decision created tension between the two. The situation escalated when Tedesco hinted earlier this year that the team might have to move forward without Courtois in the Euro 2024, despite any efforts made to reconcile with the goalkeeper.

In response, Courtois expressed his discontent with the Belgium boss by using the "liar" emoji in reaction to Tedesco's remarks. Courtois clarified his feelings, stating, "If my frustration was solely about the captaincy, I would have already resigned back in March when Tedesco chose De Bruyne as captain. It was not an issue for me that Kevin assumed the role. However, the situation became complicated when Romelu and I were appointed as vice-captains without a clear hierarchy."

"The lack of appreciation from the football federation and the coach caused something to erupt within me. Instead of seeking a resolution, the coach resorted to threatening me and publicly disclosing our discussions. It felt like a tactic to pressure me into staying."

Tedesco, true to his nature, chose not to delve into the intricate details of his differences with Courtois. He simply added, "While it is certainly positive to see Courtois back in shape, I made sincere efforts to include him in the squad for the forthcoming European Championship this summer. However, the latest communication I received suggested that he did not feel adequately prepared to join the team. I must acknowledge his candidness and appreciate his honesty."  

It appears that both Courtois and Tedesco have reached a point of no return, with reconciliation seemingly out of the question between the two.