‘I want to be at my best at Real Madrid’: Thibaut Courtois explains Nations League absence

‘I want to be at my best at Real Madrid’: Thibaut Courtois explains Nations League absence The absence of Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois from Belgium has opened up the opportunities for other goalkeepers during this current international window. However, while Courtois remains with Real Madrid during the opening of the Nations League campaign, he has not yet retired from international football. Instead, given his recent injury history, he is making decisions that look to maintaining fitness and being the best he can be for Real Madrid. In an interview with a Spanish Radio station Onda Cero, translated by HLN , the Real Madrid man said the following; ‘ I love playing for the national team, but ultimately I owe everything to Real Madrid and I feel that I am the best Courtois here. So, out of respect, I want to be at my best and not return from the national team fatigued ‘. While Real Madrid will take precedence over Belgium for the time being, Courtois does have his eye on the upcoming Euros in 2028. The goalkeeper said ‘ I will make myself available again for the European Championship qualifiers ‘. Without the Real Madrid man, Mark van Bommel has given Senne Lammens of Manchester United the starting role in goal. There are plenty of young goalkeepers ready to succeed Courtois when he does finally decide to retire from the national team, but it appears that that won’t be before the Euros in 2028 at the very least. The Belgian goalkeeper has played eight games for Real Madrid this season with one clean sheet in La Liga so far. GBeNeFN  |  Ben Jackson