Belgian coach Domenico Tedesco 'shocked' at Thibaut Courtois' decision to leave training camp

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The Belgian press already calls it "Courtoisgate."

And new Belgium coach Domenico Tedesco says learning about it was a shock.

Thibaut Courtois' decision to leave Belgium's training camp ahead of a European Championship qualifier for not being selected as captain plunged the squad into crisis mode on Monday, only six months after its pitiful exit from the World Cup.

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Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois during the UEFA EURO 2024 qualifying round group F match between Belgium and Austria at King Baudouin Stadium on June 17, 2023 in Brussels, Belgium.  (Jean Catuffe/Getty Images)

Courtois abruptly left camp and will miss the match in Estonia on Tuesday apparently because he doesn’t feel he’s recognized for his true worth.

"I'm still surprised and shocked of course, because we did not expect that something like this can happen," Tedesco said in Estonia.

Courtois, who played on Saturday in the 1-1 draw against Austria, was disappointed with Tedesco's handling of the captaincy.

In the absence of midfielder Kevin De Bruyne, who was injured in the Champions League final, Tedesco gave the captaincy to striker Romelu Lukaku, who responded by scoring Belgium's equalizer.

Courtois — who has 102 matches for Belgium — was frustrated by the decision and did not show up when players regathered for the Estonia game.

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David Alaba of Austria, Thibaut Courtois of Belgium shaking hands after the match during the Group D - UEFA EURO 2024 Qualifying Round match between Belgium and Austria at the King Baudouin Stadium on June 17, 2023 in