Courtois 'fails to show up for Belgium duty' in spat over Lukaku being captain

Thibaut Courtois failed to report for international duty with Belgium after Romelu Lukaku was named captain ahead of him for the draw with Austria, reports claim.

In the absence of usual skipper Kevin De Bruyne, Lukaku led the Red Devils out on Saturday with Courtois passed over for the role in a pre-prepared move by boss Dominic Tedesco. Instead, the goalkeeper was set to be the captain against Estonia.

However, Courtois took exception to the decision and was not present when the squad gathered at their hotel to begin preparations for their next Euro 2024 qualifier.

That is according to Het Nieuwsblad in his homeland, who have also highlighted the fact that the 31-year-old was honoured for his 100th cap at the weekend. His fiancee Mishel Gerzig had awarded him a special memento just a week before their wedding.

'Thibaut Courtois is very important to us,' Tedesco said on Saturday night. 'I can't tell you how much I appreciate him.

'On Saturday I had a conversation with Romelu and Thibaut about the captaincy. Against Austria it was Lukaku, against Estonia, Thibaut gets the credit. It is important to us that he feels valued.'

It is said that Courtois ripped into a number of team-mates after their draw with Austria, a game in which striker Lukaku spared his team's blushes with a 61st minute equaliser, with players believing there was more to his bluster after his absence.