I was dishonest, says Real Madrid star Thibaut Courtois

Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois admitted that he was “liberated” after having the opportunity to explain his Belgia boycot in front of the team.

Courtois seemed inaccessible to the Red Devils after the previous boss Domenico Tedesco was neglected by the captain in June 2023.

This stood by Miss Euro 2024, but now he returned to the showdown after Tedesc’s departure and appointment of Rudy Garcia.

And Courtois took the opportunity to have clear conversations with his teammates.

“When I arrived (at the training center), it was good to be able to speak in front of the players because there were many false things said,” Courtois told reporters on Tuesday.

“Many misconceptions or incomplete information that some players may have read in the press, which was not always true. I think I was able to explain how, what and why.

“And they were also able to ask questions. And also that I could better understand why some players have more difficulty with that.

“Maybe they were disappointed that I didn’t help the group to achieve a good result at the European Championships. So, in the end, it was all talked about. I think now we just have to look at what the future will bring.”

Focus on the future. 🇧🇪 pic.twitter.com/u7yvx22xdo

– Belgian red devils (@belreddevils) March 18, 2025

I was wrong – Courtois

He added, “Let’s not talk about it anymore. I am free …

“I was wrong. I was probably mentally going through a difficult period. I had a long, difficult season (2023) with injuries. I felt there were problems with the coach.”

Explaining these problems, Courtois, who has another excellent season in Madrid, said he felt unwavering by the Italian Tedesc.

“I didn’t feel any respect,” he said. “The coach never saw me. I never saw it in 16 years. At that moment I exploded because I didn’t understand.”

Courtiois part of Garcia plans to return Belgium to the right path

Courtois should start when Belgium faces Ukraine in the playoffs of nation out of the people because of this international break.

And then Belgium will seek to ensure qualification for the World Cup finals in the United States, Canada and Mexico next summer.

Despite the talented team, Belgium was a weaker effect in recent tournaments.

They collapsed from the 2022 World Cup in a group stage under Robert Martinez before Tedesco took them to the last 16 to Euro 2024.