In an interview with the American news channel CNN the Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois leaves the door open for a possible return to Belgium’s national men’s soccer team the Red Devils. The 32-year-old told CNN that “I hope to be able to play for my country again”.
Last summer Thibaut Courtois said that he would not play for Belgium again as long as Dominico Tedesco remains coach. “I will not return to the Red Devils under Dominico Tedesco”, he said.
However, Tedesco’s future with as coach of the Belgian national team is now uncertain and Thibaut Courtois is now leaving the door open for a possible return to international football. In a interview recorded last week following the Global Soccer Awards in Dubai, Thibaut Courtois told CNN that he still has ambitions to play for his country.
"I always feel proud when I can play form my country. Of course, the team has moved on and I don’t know what will happen in the coming months or the coming year”.
"But I hope to be able to play again or to be able to say a decent farewell. I hope to be able to play at the World Cup. We see what happens. It all not so simple”.
The Red Devils will start their qualifying games for the 2026 World Cup on 6th June this year with an away game in North Macedonia. Wales, Kazakhstan and Liechtenstein are Belgium’s other qualifying group opponents.
Thibaut Courtois has been capped 102 times. Only 8 other players have played more games for Belgium’s national team. Thibaut Courtois’ last international game was in 2023.