Thibaut Courtois pauses Belgium career before Nations League

Thibaut Courtois has stepped away from Belgium duty, ruling him out of the Nations League meetings with Italy and France in late September. The decision puts the Real Madrid goalkeeper’s international career on hold rather than ending it, as he targets a return for the next European Championship qualifying campaign.

Courtois, 34, made the decision after speaking with new Belgium coach Mark Van Bommel. He had already announced after the 2026 World Cup that he wanted a year away from the national team to recover physically and focus on his club performances. Belgium reached the quarter-finals at that tournament.

The goalkeeper also indicated that Van Bommel could not promise him the starting role when he returns. Courtois accepts that a strong Nations League campaign from another goalkeeper could influence the coach’s selection, but he intends to compete for his place and regain the position as Belgium’s first choice.

Van Bommel now has two reported options to replace him: Manchester United goalkeeper Senne Lammens and Mike Penders of Chelsea, who previously played for Strasbourg. Courtois explained his decision after Real Madrid’s 2-1 Champions League win over Inter Milan on Tuesday evening.