​Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has this weekend publicly signaled his plan to take an extended break from international football. The development arrives on the heels of a heartbreaking night for the shot-stopper and his Belgian teammates on Friday, when their hopes of World Cup glory were dashed in dramatic fashion. Belgium returned to action a day earlier to face Spain with a spot in the World Cup semi-finals on the line, and it was La Roja who prevailed with a dramatic late 2-1 victory.
The decisive goal, scored by Mikel Merino, came after Courtois, Belgium’s No. 1, had been forced off the pitch with an injury. The combination of the last-minute defeat and the physical toll of the setback appears to have weighed heavily on the Madrid custodian, who indicated that he needs time away from the international stage to recover mentally and physically.
Speaking to reporters in Los Angeles in the wake of Friday’s clash, Courtois revealed his intention to step back from international duty for the next year. He said: “I want to rest for a year without any Belgium matches, and then play the Euro qualifiers and the 2028 Euros. I don’t know if Belgium will agree to this.”
The 31-year-old goalkeeper, renowned for his performances at both club and country level, has long been a central figure for Belgium but has also faced the physical demands and the emotional strain that accompanies major tournament exits. His decision to pause international duties comes amid ongoing speculation about balancing club responsibilities with national-team hopes, a dual challenge faced by many top players.
If Belgium accept his proposed hiatus, it would mark a significant shift for a side accustomed to counting on Courtois as a key pillar between the posts. The next steps for the national team will depend on the federation’s response and Courtois’s own readiness to return for the European Championship cycle leading into 2028. In the meantime, Real Madrid will be watching closely, as they prepare for the ongoing demands of their domestic and continental campaigns while hoping their number one remains fully refreshed for the challenges ahead.