Casteels quits Belgium national team over Courtois

Goalkeeper Keon Casteels has quit the Belgium national team, his decision being a form of protest over Thibaut Courtois' return to the team, Reuters reported. Casteels had been a regular for the team for the past 18 months while Courtois refused to play for the "Red Devils" due to a conflict with the now former coach Domenico Tedesco, but after the appointment of Frenchman Rudi Garcia to the position, the Real Madrid goalkeeper said he was ready to return, BTA adds.

"It is strange that the football association has turned 180 degrees and is ready to roll out the red carpet to welcome him with open arms", Casteels said on the Belgian podcast MidMid.

Casteels is keeping guard for Belgium at the European Championship in Germany, where the team was eliminated in the round of 16. He has spent most of his career in the Bundesliga, and is currently playing in Saudi Arabia.

"I think it is strange that Courtois can decide for himself whether to return. I have nothing against Thibaut, but rather against the association. This does not correspond to what I think about the team spirit and the sports organization. "As of today, I am no longer in line for the national team," he added.