Courtois says he was removed from Belgium players’ WhatsApp group

Thibaut Courtois says he has been removed from the Belgian players’ WhatsApp group. The goalkeeper disclosed this in an interview with DAZN, as his return to the national team remains uncertain: after the World Cup, he said he would not play in the Nations League unless injuries left Van Bommel with no other option but to call him up. Courtois has not, however, announced his international retirement.

“I was kicked out of the players’ WhatsApp group. It is used to pass on information, for example about training. There are a few messages from time to time, but not that many,” he explained. The chat therefore also served a practical purpose, beyond informal exchanges between players. Courtois summed up his distance from the national team this way: “I took a step back from Belgium: I was kicked out of the WhatsApp group.”

The situation comes against a backdrop of sometimes difficult relations between the goalkeeper and Belgium. While Domenico Tedesco was in charge, Courtois had decided not to return to the national team. His position on the Nations League later left open the possibility of a comeback, but only if injuries made his call-up necessary. He acknowledges that his decision may have cost him his starting place.

He nevertheless praised the start of the new period under Van Bommel. “Everyone was quite satisfied after the first camp with Van Bommel. The team is moving in the right direction, as is the coach. This team has a great future.” Courtois also stressed that he does not take a starting role for granted. “I have never joined the national team assuming I would automatically play. I know my qualities and know I can be important to the team. If the coach prefers Lammens, Vandevoordt or Penders, that is no problem. It does not bother me at all,” he said, adding that he should not be guaranteed a starting place.

The interview, conducted with Dazn Belgium, also covered his future at Real Madrid and the Ballon d’Or. On his contract extension, Courtois said it had not yet been finalised, but that he saw no problem and that his representative and father still had to discuss the final details. On the individual award, he said Kylian Mbappé deserved it, while regretting that his team had won nothing collectively. He also questioned the voting criteria, referring to Rodri, Vinicius and Carvajal, and said it could sometimes be difficult to know how to vote.