Thibaut Courtois, Real Madrid goalkeeper, came out disappointed in the version given by the Belgium coach, Domenico Tedesco, about his departure from concentration after the game against Austria, which was due to a knee problem and not because he felt upset for not having been captain in said match.
In a statement, Courtois, who played his 100th game with the Red Devils against the Central European team, admitted that he was surprised to hear the coach at the press conference prior to the match against Estonia, in which he assured that he gave “a partial and subjective account of a private conversation” they had.
“I want to make it clear that it is not the first or the last time that I have spoken with a coach about issues related to a dressing room, but it is the first time that someone has decided to tell it publicly. I am deeply disappointed by this, but I want to make it clear that the appreciations of the coach do not conform to reality”, indicates the Real Madrid goalkeeper.
Tedesco declared that he was surprised by the departure of Courtois and explained that in March they decided that Kevin de Bruyne would be captain and Lukaku and Courtois on equal terms the vice-captains, and that they spoke that the striker would wear the armband against Austria and the goalkeeper against Estonia.
Likewise, he pointed out that after the clash last weekend the goalkeeper told him that he was upset and would leave, and that after all this he will have to talk to the Real Madrid player soon. “For me nothing has changed, but he made a difficult decision,” added the coach, who insisted that he appreciates him as a goalkeeper and a person and has a good relationship.
Courtois explains that in said conversation he asked him “not for a direct benefit, but rather to explain and make decisions to avoid situations that in the past have harmed us, always seeking the general benefit. Being or not being captain of the national team is not a whim or a random decision, it must be his decision and that’s what I tried to convey to him. Unfortunately I didn’t achieve my purpose,” he said.
“I insist that in no case have I demanded anything and that I have spoken with my partner Romelu Lukaku to clarify any circumstances related to this situation,” said Courtois, who also wants to make it clear that he has not had “any discussion on a similar subject with any teammate, as has been claimed”.
Likewise, he pointed out that he underwent “a review due to a problem in his right knee.” “The medical team of my club and the national team were in contact and reviewed all the corresponding material to make the decision to leave the concentration,” Courtois concluded.
