Courtois: I was removed from the national team WhatsApp group

The controversy surrounding Thibaut Courtois in the Belgium national team continues. In an interview with DAZN, Real Madrid's 34-year-old goalkeeper said he was removed from the WhatsApp group used by the national team players.

Courtois had been included in the World Cup squad after the arrival of Van Bommel, following his crisis with former head coach Domenico Tedesco. After the tournament, he had announced that he would not play in UEFA Nations League matches unless he had to be called up because of an injury.

In comments relayed by Mundo Deportivo, Courtois said the group is a place where information such as the training schedule is shared. He explained that he gets a message every now and then, though not very often.

The goalkeeper showed that he did not want to blow the matter out of proportion. He said everyone was happy after the first camp, that the team is heading in the right direction and that it has a bright future. Noting that he has never joined the national team assuming he would automatically play, Courtois added that it does not bother him that the head coach prefers Lammens, Vandevoordt or Bindüs.

It is unclear whether Courtois will be called up for the international fixtures starting in November. If he retires permanently, Lammens and Chelsea's young keeper Mike Penders are expected to compete for the number 1 spot.