BRUSSELS (AP) — Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois is expected to miss Belgium’s upcoming World Cup qualifiers due to a muscular injury.
Madrid said in a statement on Monday that Courtois, 33, underwent tests at the club and was diagnosed with an injury to the “abductor longus muscle of his right foot.” The Spanish league did not specify how long he would be out, saying only that they would “evaluate his recovery.”
The Belgian federation has not yet commented on the announcement. Belgium is already missing kevin de bruynesuffered a severe injury to his thigh muscle and was sidelined for several months.
Belgium currently top Group J ahead of North Macedonia and Wales. They will play Kazakhstan in Astana on Saturday before facing Liechtenstein in Liege on November 18. If the Red Devils defeat Kazakhstan, they will qualify directly for next year’s World Cup in the United States.
Courtois returned to the Belgian team in March after 21 months. he suddenly left the team In June 2023, he had a falling out with Domenico Tedesco, the Belgian national team coach at the time, and was scheduled for the European Championship qualifiers. The feud between the two men, nicknamed “Courtoisgate,” which began with a dispute over the captaincy position, quickly escalated and damaged their relationship beyond repair.
of Appointment of Rudy Garcia As the new manager this year, he paved the way for Courtois’ return. The veteran goalkeeper has made 107 appearances for Belgium.
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