Koen Casteels announces retirement from international football

Belgium goalkeeper Koen Casteels announced on Sunday that he is “no longer available” for international duty, ahead of the anticipated return of Real Madrid shotstopper Thibaut Courtois to the national team.

The 32-year-old had been Belgium’s first-choice goalkeeper at Euro 2024, following Courtois’ departure from the national team after a fallout with former coach Domenico Tedesco. However, since Rudi Garcia’s appointment as coach in January, Courtois has expressed his desire to return to the international fold.

Garcia had stated upon his arrival, “Even if there is quality in goal with Matz Sels and Koen Casteels, we are counting on Thibaut, who I consider to be the best goalkeeper in the world.”

Despite this, Casteels, now playing for Saudi club Al Qadsiah, revealed on a Playsports podcast that he would no longer be available for the national team. “I find it a bit strange that Thibaut Courtois can decide for himself whether he can come back. And I find it very strange that the federation should flip-flop in this way and roll out the red carpet. There are a lot of players who think the same as I do,” Casteels said.

Casteels earned 20 caps for Belgium since making his debut in 2020. Courtois had stepped away from international duty after being upset over not being named captain for a match against Austria in June 2023.

According to Belgian outlet Sudinfo, not all players are in favor of Courtois’ return, a situation that may create tension as Garcia prepares to announce his first squad on Friday, March 15, ahead of Belgium’s Nations League play-off tie with Ukraine later this month.

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