'We didn't need that bomb from Koen!' - Thibaut Courtois defended from Belgium return criticism by Youri Tielemans after rival goalkeeper Koen Casteels QUIT national team in protest

Real Madrid stopper Courtois has returned to the Belgium team for the first time since June 2023 after falling out with previous coach Domenico Tedesco. The goalkeeper's return has caused controversy and led to rival stopper Casteels, who was No. 1 during Courtois' absence, to quit the national team by way of protest.

Courtois spoke about his decision to play for Belgium again at a press conference and admitted he had some sympathy with Casteels. He said: "I can understand Koen, because he was number one and now I'm returning. But the football association wanted me back from the start, so I made myself available again. It's not like I arranged all this myself. The other things he said, that there is even more dissatisfaction? No idea. If you say something, you should also name it, I think."

Belgium team-mate Tielemans also shared his thoughts and was quick to defend the Real Madrid star. He explained: "We certainly didn't need that bomb from Koen in this situation. Of course it was discussed, but the most important thing is that Thibaut was able to clarify everything and tell his story. The most important thing is that he realises that certain things went wrong for the group of players, but that he indicated that he didn't mean it that way."

Courtois and Tielemans are currently preparing for two Nations League fixtures against Ukraine over the international break, with the goalkeeper keen to make amends. He added: "Well, in the end I can't do much more than perform on the field. To the fans I am very sorry that it turned out this way, but it didn't help that wrong or incomplete stories came out."