Belgium's national team captain, Kevin De Bruyne, expressed regret today that Real Madrid's Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois will not be participating in Euro 2024 due to a clash with the national team coach, Domenico Tedesco. However, he resigned himself to the fact that the "Red Devils" will have to face the tournament with the goalkeepers called up.

"It would be best to have everyone available. I don't know all the details of the matter because I wasn't present at that training camp. But we have to trust the other three goalkeepers in the team. The situation is what it is," said the captain of the "Red Devils" and Manchester City midfielder.

Courtois fell out with the newly appointed Belgian coach, Italo-German Domenico Tedesco, a year ago over what the goalkeeper perceived as a slight to his status. He left the team camp, and the tension has not eased since, compounded by two injuries that have kept Courtois out for most of the season.

However, the Belgian goalkeeper recovered in time to play for Real Madrid in the Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund at Wembley, where the 32-year-old delivered a crucial performance to secure victory for the Whites. Following the "Champions" final, the Belgian sports press unanimously lamented that Belgium would be without what many consider the best goalkeeper in the world for the tournament.

At the same press conference, Tedesco did not receive any questions about Courtois, having already addressed the issue last week when announcing the squad list. "He was honest, he was clear. He knows his body (...). The latest information we have is that he is not ready for the Euros," said the coach, referring to the announcement Courtois made in December, stating he would not play in the continental tournament to focus on recovering from his injury.

In his place, Tedesco has called up goalkeepers Koen Casteels (Wolfsburg/GER), Thomas Kaminski (Luton/ENG), and Matz Sels (Nottingham/ENG). When asked who would start in goal for Belgium's two friendly matches to prepare for the tournament, on Wednesday against Montenegro and next Saturday against Luxembourg, Tedesco said he had not yet made a decision. "We'll see. These are decisions we'll make today and tomorrow with the goalkeeping coach, and we'll communicate them to the players first," he said.

Despite Courtois' absence, the coach assured that the "Red Devils" are training well, with intensity and a good atmosphere. "We are in very good shape," he said. The Belgians will debut on June 17 against Slovakia, in a group that also includes Romania and Ukraine.