Thibaut Courtois to reconsider retiring from Belgian national team, wants time off

[p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/courtois-thibaut/MVExOq3n/"]Courtois[/a], who was controversially taken off ‌in Friday’s World Cup quarter-final defeat by [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/spain/bLyo6mco/"]Spain[/a], said during the tournament he was ‌thinking of retiring from the national team.[/p][p]But the 34-year-old, who ‌has won 115 caps after debuting in 2011, is now open ‌to staying if he is guaranteed a reduced schedule.[/p][p]“[b]I’ve already ‌indicated that I’d like a quieter year, where I can stay in Madrid during the Nations League campaign to focus on my recovery. That way, [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/lammens-senne/UFssg7X4/"]‌Senne[/a] (Lammens), Mike ([a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/penders-mike/nyaJupUE/"]Penders[/a]) or Maarten ([a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/vandevoordt-maarten/AFY9ARa5/"]Vandevoordt[/a]) could play[/b],” he said, ⁠listing potential replacements.[/p][p]“[b]If they ([a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/belgium/GbB957na/"]Belgium[/a]) accept ‌that, then I’d be open to continuing,[/b]” said Courtois, who was taken ​off with a twinge in his leg against Spain and saw his replacement Lammens spill the ball to allow ​the Spanish [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/soccer/belgium-GbB957na/spain-bLyo6mco/?mid=MHGPEKi5"]to score an 88th-minute winner[/a].[/p][p]“[b]It’s a shame to come off in such a special match,[/b]” Courtois said. “[b]I felt really ⁠good in the second half ​and made a few saves. You want to stay on the pitch in moments like that.[/b][/p][p]“[b]But I took two goal kicks, and on the second one, I felt pain in my quadriceps. I ‌let them know I couldn't take long goal kicks anymore,[/b]” he told reporters.[/p][p]“[b]I could have stayed in goal, but the coach (Rudi Garcia) said: ‘If you aren't 100%, I’m substituting you.’ That’s why I initially wanted to keep playing, but the coach decided to substitute me. That’s not a problem. The team comes first, of course.[/b]”[/p][embed guid="90a2e779-bda3-4174-b0ca-61ca1dcad604" url="https://x.com/Flashscorecom/status/2075693695370768451?s=20" social-type="twitter" /][p]Courtois had sympathy for 24-year-old Lammens, who has picked up some of the blame for Belgium’s defeat.[/p][p]“[b]It’s a shame, of course, that Senne ‌couldn't hold onto the ball. But that’s football. I went ​over to give him a hug. There isn't much you ‌can say in a moment like that.[/b][/p][p]“[b]It’s just unfortunate, but Senne is an excellent goalkeeper. He has a bright future ahead of him, and moments like this make you stronger. He shouldn't be blamed for it. It’s part of the game,[/b]” ⁠Courtois added.[/p][p]Belgium begin their ⁠Nations League campaign against [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/italy/hlKvieGH/"]Italy[/a] ‌in Rome on September 25.[/p]