Courtois says he could have continued against Spain, hints at international retirement

Thibaut Courtois has revealed he believed he could have finished Belgium’s World Cup quarter-final against Spain, insisting the injury that forced his substitution did not prevent him from continuing in goal.

The Real Madrid goalkeeper was replaced in the 71st minute after appearing to struggle with either a thigh or quadriceps problem, making it difficult for him to take goal kicks. The 34-year-old was visibly emotional as he left the field, breaking down in tears while making his way to the bench.

Belgium’s fortunes then took a devastating turn late in the contest. Backup goalkeeper Senne Lammens, earning only his third senior international appearance, failed to deal with a dangerous situation in the closing stages, allowing Mikel Merino to net the decisive goal with just two minutes remaining and book Spain’s place in the World Cup semi-finals.

Speaking afterwards in the mixed zone, Courtois explained that the injury only affected his ability to strike long balls and maintained he was still capable of making saves if someone else had taken over goal-kick duties.

Courtois said: “I felt a lot of pain in my quadriceps. But I had no problem staying in goal, only taking long kicks. In the end, the manager decided to take me off. That’s no problem because the team comes above everything.”

Courtois has long been one of Belgium’s most influential figures, combining years as the national team’s first-choice goalkeeper with a glittering club career at Real Madrid. However, his international journey has not been without controversy. Following a dispute over the captaincy with former head coach Domenico Tedesco, he spent nearly two years away from the national team between the middle of 2023 and 2025.

Now back in the squad, the veteran shot-stopper has admitted he is considering another spell away from international football, this time to manage his workload before Belgium begin their European Championship qualification campaign.

Courtois said: “I’d like to take a break from the Nations League, which isn’t that important, and return for the Euro qualifying campaign. It’s a decision that has to be made together with the federation. If they agree with that plan. Otherwise, today would have been my last match.”