Thibaut Courtois of Real Madrid enters the field before the LaLiga EA Sports football match between Real Madrid CF and Real Sociedad at Estadio Bernabeu in Madrid, Spain, on February 14, 2026. (Photo by Alberto Gardin/NurPhoto) (Photo by Alberto Gardin / NurPhoto via AFP)
Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois said in quotes published on Wednesday he has decided to put his Belgium career on standby until September 2027.
The 34-year-old made the last of his 115 international appearances at this summer’s World Cup but will only return to the Red Devils set-up for Euro 2028 qualifiers next year.
The Real Madrid ‘keeper will miss the upcoming Nations League campaign under new boss Mark Van Bommel starting with a game against Italy on September 25.
Van Bommel told Courtois beforehand he was unable to guarantee him the starting No. 1 shirt.
