Belgium’s head coach Domenico Tedesco excluded Real Madrid’s custodian Thibaut Courtois from Euro 2024. This decision marked the first time since 2002 that the squad competed without him in a significant championship. Their first match against Slovakia commenced without Courtois defending the nets.
The celebrated goalkeeper missed out despite recovering from his injuries in time to propel Real Madrid to a Champions League victory on June 1 at Wembley. His efforts, however, did not secure him a spot in Belgium’s Red Devils for their commencement in Group E in Frankfurt.
Historically, Courtois was omnipresent in Belgium’s line-up during previous global contests, having participated in all games during the 2014, 2018, and 2022 World Cups, and the Euros of 2016 and 2020. In his stead, Koen Casteels, the Wolfsburg guardian, stepped in to fill his boots against Slovakia.
