Real Madrid Star Thibaut Courtois Shuns Belgium Duty After Captaincy Snub

• Thibaut Courtois has gone AWOL after not being appointed as Belgium’s captain
• Romelu Lukaku was appointed as Belgium’s captain in their Euro 2024 qualifiers against Austria
• The saga comes just days after the Courtois was honoured for reaching 100 Belgium caps

The Belgium national team is embroiled in a new captaincy row as goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois is reportedly angry about being snubbed for the position by new manager Dominico Tedesco.

The Real Madrid goalkeeper was expected to lead the Red Devils in their Euro 2024 qualifiers against Austria in the absence of Kevin de Bruyne, Tedesco offered the captain’s armband to Romelu Lukaku instead.

According to Goal, the snub by Tadesco reportedly did not go down too well with Courtois, who subsequently missed Belgium’s training on Monday.

Courtois recently highlighted how he had "a lot of respect" for Lukaku despite the pair being at the centre of the spat for the Belgium captaincy.

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Belgium defeated Austria by a lone Lukaku goal although Courtois played a key role in ensuring the Red Devils came away with all three points by making crucial saves in the encounter.

Courtois still important for Belgium

Meanwhile, Belgium manager Dominico Tedesco has stated that Thibaut Courtois is still an important member of the national team set-up despite failing to report to training, Daily Mirror reports.

Tedesco revealed he had a conversation with Courtois and Lukaku about them sharing the armband and that it is important for the Real Madrid goalkeeper to feel valued in the national team.

Courtois was recently honoured by the Belgium national team after reaching 100 caps for the Red Devils.

Thibaut Courtois makes incredible saves

Earlier, Sports Brief reported Thibaut Courtois continued to enhance his reputation as one of the best shot-stoppers in the world at the moment with two outrageous saves against Erling Haaland.

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The Belgian goalkeeper has been immense in Real Madrid's pursuit of defending their Champions League title this campaign.

Having kept five clean sheets on route to the semi-final, Courtois has risen to the occasion anytime he is called upon when Madrid's defence is breached.