Belgium in chaos as Thibaut Courtois leaves squad over Lukaku disagreement

The Belgian national team is in chaos after Real Madrid shot-stopper Thibaut Courtois left the camp after a captaincy dispute with Romelu Lukaku.

Reports in Belgium suggest Courtois was left disgruntled after he was overlooked as captain during the Red Devils’ 1-1 draw with Austria on Sunday. Domenico Tedesco handed the captaincy to Lukaku, after Kevin De Bruyne withdrew from the squad.

Speaking to the media, Tedesco said: “Together we decided that Romelu would be captain against Austria and Thibaut tomorrow against Estonia.

“That was okay for everyone but after the match, he suddenly wanted to talk to me and said he was going home because he was disappointed and felt offended.

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“From the beginning, I tried to show him the appreciation he deserves. In my eyes, he is the best goalkeeper in the world. I love him as a goalkeeper but also as a human being. I am shocked.”

Courtois then released his own statement: “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 have spoken to a coach about issues related to a locker room, but it is the first time that someone has decided to make it public.

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

“I insist that in no case have I demanded anything and that I have spoken to my teammate Lukaku to clarify and circumstances related to this situation.”