Overview

• Koen Casteels, 32, has retired from Belgium's national football team in protest against Thibaut Courtois' reinstatement under new coach Rudi Garcia.
• Casteels accused the Belgian Football Association of prioritizing Courtois, claiming it undermines the values of teamwork and fairness.
• Courtois had previously left the team in 2023 following a dispute with then-coach Domenico Tedesco, who has since been replaced by Garcia.
• The controversy stems from a 2023 captaincy decision that sidelined Courtois in favor of Romelu Lukaku, an issue still causing divisions within the team.
• Casteels, who became Belgium's first-choice goalkeeper during Courtois' absence, recently moved to a Saudi Arabian club after nine years with VfL Wolfsburg.