{"id":13585,"date":"2023-10-12T20:16:08","date_gmt":"2023-10-12T20:16:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.pakistaninewspaperlist.com\/lukaku-backs-belgium-return-for-courtois-after-spat-with-coach-the-express-tribune\/"},"modified":"2023-10-12T20:16:08","modified_gmt":"2023-10-12T20:16:08","slug":"lukaku-backs-belgium-return-for-courtois-after-spat-with-coach-the-express-tribune","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pakistaninewspaperlist.com\/news\/lukaku-backs-belgium-return-for-courtois-after-spat-with-coach-the-express-tribune\/","title":{"rendered":"Lukaku backs Belgium return for Courtois after spat with coach | The Express Tribune"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Belgium’s stand-in captain Romelu Lukaku<\/a> said he would welcome Thibaut Courtois back into the national team with open arms after the goalkeeper walked out of the squad in June.<\/p>\n

Overlooked for the stand-in captain’s role, Courtois refused to play in June\u2019s European Championship qualifier against Estonia, according to coach Domenico Tedesco who this week said he had since had no contact with the Real Madrid goalkeeper.<\/p>\n

Courtois tore knee ligaments and underwent surgery in August, delaying any resolution, but earlier this week Belgium fullback Timothy Castagne said he did not think Courtois could return to the squad without any explanation. Lukaku, however, expressed a different opinion on Wednesday.<\/p>\n

\u201cI mean from the bottom of my heart: we must put what happened behind us,\u201d he told a press conference as Belgium prepared for their next qualifier against Austria in Vienna on Friday.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe day Thibaut decides to return, he will simply return. If that happens, he will still be of great value.\u201d \u201cThibaut will then answer for himself in the dressing room. You know, I would like to call on the media not to constantly write that Thibaut Courtois<\/a> or any other player said this or did that. We need to put those matters to rest,\u201d added Lukaku.<\/p>\n

\u201cI wish Thibaut a good rehabilitation, that is the most important thing now, and if he returns, I will be the first to welcome him with open arms.” Lukaku was chosen ahead of Courtois as captain in June, standing in for the injured Kevin De Bruyne.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat captain’s armband is symbolic. There are several players here who can take that kind of responsibility on their own,\u201d said Lukaku on Wednesday.<\/p>\n

In a newspaper interview earlier this week, Castagne questioned whether the spirit of the squad should be sacrificed for one player, even if he was one of the world\u2019s top keepers. \u201cIt would be strange if Thibaut came back as if nothing had happened. It is a problem to be resolved between him and the coach. If he no longer wants to come, it will be his choice,\u201d he told the French language daily Le Soir. But Castagne has since apologised for the comments and spoken to Courtois.<\/p>\n

\u201cI did not have my hand slapped for this interview, but my timing was not right. I’ve also talked about it with Thibaut. What was said there? That remains between us.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n