Thibaut Courtois is set to miss Belgium’s Nations League campaign, but the goalkeeper has not ended his international career, Belgian media reported on Wednesday.
The 34-year-old indicated after the World Cup that he was considering stepping away from Belgium duty or taking a break this season. He will therefore skip the Nations League, in which Belgium are drawn alongside France, Italy and Turkey and will play six fixtures during the next three months.
Speaking after Real Madrid defeated Inter Milan 2-1 in the Champions League on Tuesday, Courtois said new Belgium manager Mark van Bommel had accepted his decision.
“I will still be available for the national team’s European Championship qualifying campaign, although I know I must compete for my position like every other goalkeeper,” Courtois told Belgian newspaper Het Laatste Nieuws. “I am not sure my body can cope with the same workload for another four years.”
Belgium’s opening qualifiers for the 2028 European Championship are due to take place in March next year.
