Contrite Courtois Looks Ahead After Belgium Powwow

Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois said on March 18 that he had thrashed out the circumstances of his lengthy exile from the national side with teammates on his return, and hoped the controversy over his almost two-year absence was now settled.

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BRUSSELS - Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois said on March 18 that he had thrashed out the circumstances of his lengthy exile from the national side with teammates on his return, and hoped the controversy over his almost two-year absence was now settled.

Courtois, 32, has not played for Belgium since June 2023 when he walked out ahead of a European Championship qualifier in Estonia, but after a change of coach he is back in the squad for this week's Nations League play-offs against Ukraine on March 20 and 23.

The Real Madrid goalkeeper, who has 102 caps, said his walkout had nothing to do with being denied the captaincy, as was reported at the time, but a breakdown in his relationship with then coach Domenico Tedesco, who was replaced by Rudi Garcia in January.