Tuesday June 20, 2023 – Thibaut Courtois’s fiancee has reacted to the ongoing saga over his absence from Belgium duty after Romelu Lukaku was named captain ahead of the goalkeeper on his 100th cap
Reports on Monday claimed Courtois failed to return to the Belgium camp on Sunday because he was furious Romelu Lukaku had been made captain instead of him for Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Austria.
The Real Madrid stopper insisted he is absent because of a knee injury as the Red Devils prepare to play Estonia in their latest Euro 2024 qualifier on Tuesday night.
But several other reports in Belgium said Courtois’s behaviour is linked to his marriage to Israeli supermodel Mishel Gerzig in the south of France next week.
Now, Gerzig has slammed Belgium coach while offering support for her husband-to-be.
One post showed Courtois’s leg with strapping on his right knee as they travelled on a private jet. The picture was accompanied by the message: ‘The strongest person I know. I am so proud of you.’
Another post featured one of the keeper’s posts in which he explained he was suffering from an injury and included a picture of him with Lukaku singing the national anthem.
Gerzig wrote: ‘No one can take away the legendary player you are, the leader, the fighter.
‘You always put the team and the club in front of you eyes and give your 1000%. Even when you are in pain. You never give up.
‘I’m sorry to hear all the rumours that are spread by people that just waited for the opportunity to put you down or hurt your name.
‘Those people don’t understand that you are the definition of high quality football.
‘A player that plays from the heart and a supporting, stable rock to his team-mates.
‘A true leader, a real legend. And legends never go down. By no one.’
The row started during the Austria game after Lukaku was given the armband in a pre-planned move by coach Tedesco, with usual skipper Kevin De Bruyne injured. Courtois was rather set to captain the team in their next game against Estonia.
However, Courtois took exception to this and didn’t show up when the squad gathered at their hotel to begin preparations for their trip to Tallinn, according to Belgian newspaper Het Nieuwsblad.
The 31-year-old had been honoured for winning his 100th cap at the weekend and Gerzig awarded him a special memento.
‘Thibaut Courtois is very important to us,’ Tedesco said on Saturday night. ‘I can’t tell you how much I appreciate him.
‘On Saturday I had a conversation with Romelu and Thibaut about the captaincy. Against Austria it was Lukaku, against Estonia, Thibaut gets the credit.
‘It is important to us that he feels valued.’
Reports said Courtois ripped into a number of teammates in the dressing room after the draw with Austria.
Het Nieuwsblad then reported claims Courtois was unable to be talked around and persuaded to return to the squad in a late-night phone call – which lasted until 4am – with Tedesco.
Team-mates believe his upcoming wedding played a part in him walking out. The nuptials will be a two-day party in France with more than 300 guests set to attend.
Speaking on Monday, Tedesco rejected rumours that Courtois was injured, saying: ‘I wish I could say it’s an injury, but I can’t lie.’
However, Tedesco’s claims have infuriated Courtois, who issued a strongly-worded statement on his personal website which refuted the coach’s claims.
‘This afternoon I was surprised to hear the coach’s press conference in which he gave a partial and subjective account of a private conversation we had after the match against Austria,’ wrote Courtois.
‘I want to make it clear that it is not the first time or the last time that I talk to a coach about issues related to a locker room, but it is the first time that someone decides to tell it publicly.
‘I am deeply disappointed with this, but I want to make it clear that the coach’s assessments do not fit with reality.’
Courtois added: ‘I insist that in no case have I demanded anything and that I have spoken to my team-mate Romelu Lukaku to clarify any circumstances relating to this situation.
‘Furthermore yesterday afternoon I underwent a check-up for a problem in my 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 training camp.’
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