Casteels Retires from Belgium National Team Amid Courtois Controversy

Belgium goalkeeper Koen Casteels has declared he is 'no longer available' for international duty, citing dissatisfaction with the Belgian Football Association's decision to reintegrate Thibaut Courtois into the national team. Casteels, who served as the first-choice keeper during Courtois's absence due to a disagreement with former coach Domenico Tedesco, expressed his concerns on a podcast, criticizing the association's inconsistent approach. He described the decision to welcome Courtois back as a betrayal of team values, stating that many players share his sentiments. Courtois, who has 102 caps and is regarded as one of the best goalkeepers, has expressed eagerness to return under new coach Rudi Garcia, who values his position. The situation complicates Garcia's upcoming squad selection for the Nations League play-off against Ukraine, as not all players support Courtois's return. Casteels, now playing in Saudi Arabia, has earned 20 caps for Belgium since his debut in 2020.