‘Rolling out the red carpet’ – Why has Belgium's Koen Casteels retired in protest at Thibaut Courtois return?
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Published 10/03/2025 at 13:01 GMT
Koen Casteels has retired from international football after criticising the "standards and values" of the Belgian FA for bringing Real Madrid star Thibaut Courtois back into the fold. Courtois hasn't played for Belgium for almost two years following a spat with former coach Domenico Tedesco, with Casteels deputising in that time. "It's strange that the FA is rolling out the red carpet," he said.
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Thibaut Courtois’ imminent return to the Belgium squad has sparked a strong reaction from fellow keeper Koen Casteels, who has announced he is stepping down from international duty in protest.
Courtois was frozen out of the Belgian set-up under former coach Domenico Tedesco, who chose Casteels as his first-choice keeper.
However, Tedesco’s dismissal in January and the subsequent hire of Rudi Garcia is set to offer Courtois a route back into international football for Belgium’s UEFA Nations League double-header with Ukraine later this month.
Casteels, who was Belgium’s No. 1 at Euro 2024 last summer, said on Sunday that he is "no longer available" for international selection.
"It's strange that the football association has turned 180 degrees and is rolling out the red carpet and welcoming him back with open arms," Casteels told the Belgian podcast MidMid.
"I think it’s a bit strange that Courtois can decide for himself whether he can come back.
"It is not so much towards Thibaut, but mainly towards the football association. That does not fit in with the standards and values that I have about what a team sport or a sporting organisation should have.
"As of today, I am no longer available."
A row between Courtois and Tedesco erupted in mid-2023, when the goalkeeper refused to play and left Belgium’s training camp after being overlooked for the captaincy.
Courtois, who has 102 caps, has not played for Belgium since.
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He suffered an ACL injury later that summer and missed much of the 2023/24 season, but has since resumed his role as Real Madrid’s first-choice keeper.
Garcia opened the door to a recall after taking the reins at the start of the year.
"He’ll be back. That’s great news for the whole of Belgium. I’ve always considered Thibaut to be the best goalkeeper in the world, but we’re also very well covered with Matz Sels and Koen Casteels," Garcia said in February.
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Casteels, who plays his club football in Saudi Arabia with Al-Qadsiah, has played every minute of Belgium’s last 12 games, including their run to the last 16 at Euro 2024.
He conceded just two goals at that tournament, where Belgium were eliminated by a 1-0 defeat to France.
"We were informed today of Koen Casteels’ decision to retire from international duty with the Belgian Red Devils," the Belgian FA said on social media.
"While we regret his choice, we want to sincerely thank Koen for his years of dedication and the moments we shared together."
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