I hope fans accept me - Courtois ends Belgium exile

Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois says he hopes "fans can accept me" after ending his exile from international football this week.

The Real Madrid player, 32, is back in his country's squad for the first time since falling out with former Belgium manager Domenico Tedesco in June 2023, leading to him leaving a Euro 2024 qualifying training camp.

Belgium were beaten by France in the last 16 of last summer's European Championship, with Al-Qadsiah goalkeeper Koen Casteels starting all four of their games in Germany.

With Rudi Garcia now in charge of the national team, Courtois looks set to play in the upcoming Nations League play-off against Ukraine.

On Tuesday, Courtois accepted he could have handled his fall-out with Tedesco better, and has taken time to explain matters to his fellow Belgium players.

"There were a lot of misunderstandings, half-truths, so I was able to explain what happened," he said. "The team-mates were able to ask their questions.

"I'm relieved that we were able to talk everything out. Everything is clear and now we're looking ahead. I know I made my mistakes. At that time, I wasn't mentally 100% ready to play.

"After a long season, you sometimes have impulsive reactions and that was not smart of me - that was not the best thing for the team and the supporters.

"I still think the [Belgian] Football Association could have handled it better afterwards, but I also suffered a serious knee injury. I wasn't ready to play at the European Championship anyway. And when a relationship with a coach breaks down it's also difficult."

Reports at the time, external suggested Courtois left the training camp in 2023 after being overlooked for the captaincy in what would have been his first home game since winning his 100th cap.

He added: "A lot had been written that I left because I didn't get the captain's armband, but that's not true. That's the biggest disinformation.

"I understand it was hard for the fans at the time. I hope that they can accept me again.

"I understand it's not easy, but I hope that they will support the team."

Belgium and Aston Villa midfielder Youri Tielemans said it was important Courtois explained matters.

"The most important thing is that he realises that some things went down badly with the group of players, but he said that he had not meant it that way," he said.