Football: won over by Rudi Garcia “the winner”, Thibaut Courtois soon to return with the Belgian selection

Thibaut Courtois had already hinted at it. He now officially confirmed it on Wednesday to the Flemish media Nieuwsblad : "Yes, I am available again for the Red Devils". Having fallen out with former coach Domenico Tedesco , the Belgian goalkeeper has not played for the national team since June 17, 2023, during a match counting towards the Euro 2024 qualifiers against Austria (1-1). With 102 caps under his belt, the 32-year-old goalkeeper wants to wear the jersey of his native country again, with the 2026 World Cup in Canada, the United States and Mexico in his sights.

The reason for this about-face? The change of coach and the arrival of Frenchman Rudi Garcia. Courtois explained to the media Nieuwsblad that he was able to meet the former Lille and OL coach in recent days in Madrid. "I had a very good feeling, a bit like with Ancelotti at Real Madrid," he explained. Garcia is a winner, that was clear during our conversation and that's what I heard. He seems to me to be a strong coach, that's also what several players who worked with him told me."

Nothing stands in the way of Courtois' return to Belgium. The Red Devils will face Ukraine in March for a double confrontation (March 20 and 23) in the Nations League play-offs. The winner of these two matches will remain in the competition's top division.