Rudi Garcia introduced Friday his 26-man squad for Belgium’s Nations League play-off tie in opposition to Ukraine, which included Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois for the primary time since June 2023. In self-exile following a disagreement with then coach Domenico Tedesco after not being named captain for a match in opposition to Austria, Courtois will as soon as once more pull on Belgian colors. It is an inclusion that many anticipated after the 32-year-old acknowledged his need to return when Garcia was appointed as new head coach in January. The 61-year-old Frenchman mentioned throughout his press convention Friday he had “determined to start out afresh” as regards the star shot-stopper.
Ahead of Courtois’ return, Koen Casteels — Belgium’s No 1 within the Madrid man’s absence — introduced final Sunday he was “not out there for the nationwide workforce”.
“I discover it a bit unusual that Thibaut Courtois can determine for himself whether or not he can come again. And I discover it very unusual that the federation ought to flip-flop on this approach and roll out the pink carpet,” mentioned Casteels on a podcast.
“There are a variety of gamers who assume the identical as I do.”
Belgian outlet Sudinfo additionally reported final week that not all of the gamers gave the impression to be in favour of Courtois’ return — a scenario more likely to complicate Garcia’s begin to life in his new function.
“We’ll have to debate (this) with a choose group, the leaders. We’ll discuss it as soon as after which some extra. It’s a brand new web page that is opening up,” mentioned Garcia.
For his first squad since taking the reins, Garcia has referred to as up 19-year-old Lyon ahead Malick Fofana and 17-year-old Ajax starlet Jorthy Mokio, who might make their debuts.
However, the squad nonetheless boasts loads of expertise with Romelu Lukaku, Kevin De Bruyne and Youri Tielemans all current on the checklist of 26.
Belgium will tackle Ukraine in a two-legged play-off on March 20 and 23, with their place in League A of the Nations League at stake.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid/ESP), Matz Sels (Nottingham Forest/ENG), Senne Lammens (Genk), Maarten Vandevoordt (RB Leipzig/GER)
Defenders: Timothy Castagne (Fulham/ENG), Zeno Debast (Sporting Lisbon/POR), Maxim De Cuyper (Club Brugge), Koni De Winter (Genoa/ITA), Wout Faes (Leicester City/ENG), Thomas Meunier (Lille/FRA), Brandon Mechele (Club Brugge), Arthur Theate (Frankfurt/GER)
Midfielders: Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City/ENG), Bryan Heynen (Genk), Jorthy Mokio (Ajax/NED), Nicolas Raskin (Rangers/SCO), Youri Tielemans (Aston Villa/ENG), Hans Vanaken (Club Brugge)
Attackers: Charles De Ketelaere (Atalanta/ITA), Jeremy Doku (Manchester City/ENG), Malick Fofana (Lyon/FRA), Romelu Lukaku (Napoli/ITA), Dodi Lukebakio (Sevilla/ESP), Lois Openda (RB Leipzig/GER), Alexis Saelemaekers (Roma/ITA), Leandro Trossard (Arsenal/ENG)
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