Courtois denies rift with Lukaku over Belgium badge

The Belgium international team is in chaos after coach Domenico Tedesco confirmed Thibaut Courtois walked out because he was ‘offended’ by Inter star Romelu Lukaku being made captain, but the goalkeeper denied that and insists he ‘has spoken to’ Lukaku.

The squad is being torn apart by the controversy and it all revolves around Lukaku, who spent this season at Inter on loan from Chelsea and is determined to extend his stay at San Siro.

Domenico Tedesco confirmed in a press conference the reports that Courtois had left the training camp in protest at Lukaku being made captain in the absence of injured Kevin De Bruyne.

Now Courtois has given his response on his official website, alongside a photograph of him standing arm in arm with Lukaku, and it just creates further confusion on what happened.

“This afternoon I was surprised to hear the coach’s press conference in which he gave a partial and subjective account of a private conversation we had after the match against Austria.

“I want to make it clear that it is not the first time or the last time that I talk to a coach about issues related to a locker room, but it is the first time that someone decides to tell it publicly.

“I am deeply disappointed with this, but I want to make it clear that the coach’s assessments do not fit with reality.

“In that conversation I asked him, not for direct benefit, to explain and make decisions to avoid situations that in the past have harmed us while always looking for the general benefit. To be or not to be the national team captain is neither a whim nor a random decision, it should be his decision and that is what I tried to convey to him. Unfortunately, I did not achieve my purpose.

“I insist that in no case have I demanded anything and that I have spoken to my teammate Romelu Lukaku to clarify any circumstances related to this situation. At the same time, I want to make it clear that I did not have any discussion on any similar subject with any teammate, as has been claimed.

“Furthermore, Sunday afternoon I underwent a check-up for a problem in my right knee. The medical team of my Club and the national team were in contact and reviewed all the corresponding material to make the decision to leave the training camp.”

Considering Belgium were held to a 1-1 draw by Austria and have to play Estonia on Tuesday evening, it creates an extremely tense situation around the squad and puts even more focus on Lukaku.

Earlier Nieuwsblad Sport in Belgium had reported that Courtois didn’t show up at the team’s hotel for the match against Estonia on Sunday after Inter forward Lukaku was given the captain’s armband.

Italian tactician Domenico Tedesco, recently appointed as Belgium’s new coach, is facing a dressing room crisis as Nieuwsblad Sport claims Courtois was furious seeing Lukaku replace the injured Kevin De Bruyne as the Red Devils’ captain in a 1-1 draw against Austria on Saturday.

According to the report, the Real Madrid keeper vented his frustration inside the dressing room after the final whistle and didn’t show up at the team’s hotel the following day. Courtois was supposed to be Belgium’s captain in the game against Estonia, which will be played on Tuesday night.

However, the goalkeeper felt he should have worn the armband also against Austria and didn’t hide his frustration following a disappointing result. Belgium have not officially explained Courtois’ absence, but according to the Belgian paper, the FA will justify it, saying Courtois is slightly injured.