Lukaku causes Belgium HAVOC as Courtois QUITS after Big Rom spat

Tom Hancock

• 19 Jun 2023 15:49 BST
• 3 min read

Thibaut Courtois has reportedly failed to report for training with Belgium, with the goalkeeper said to be unhappy about having to share the captaincy.

With regular skipper Kevin De Bruyne injured, Romelu Lukaku wore the armband – and scored his country’s equaliser – in Saturday’s 1-1 Euro 2024 qualifying draw with Austria.

Courtois was due to stand in as captain for Tuesday’s trip to Estonia – but his apparent no-show might just have put paid to that plan.

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According to Flemish newspaper Het Niewsblad, Courtois was left enraged about not being asked to deputise as skipper against Austria and did not turn up to the team hotel ahead of the Estonia clash.

That’s despite Belgium head coach Domenico Tedesco revealing that he had spoken to Courtois and Lukaku about his intention for them to wear the armband for one game each.

Speaking after the Austria match, Tedesco said: “Thibaut Courtois is very important to us; I can’t tell you how much I appreciate him. On Saturday, I had a conversation with Romelu and Thibaut about the captaincy. Against Austria, it was Lukaku; against Estonia, Thibaut gets the credit. It is important to us that he [Courtois] feels valued.”

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Come back, Kevin!

An apparent spat, even if indirect, between two of their most high-profile players would hardly be ideal for Belgium’s morale as they look to continue their recovery from a disappointing 2022 World Cup campaign.

Courtois and Lukaku were both involved as the Red Devils crashed out at the group stage in Qatar – and it looks like both will feature should their country qualify for next year’s Euros in Germany.

Their boss might well be keeping everything crossed that De Bruyne is back fit for the next round of internationals, though…