Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has declined to travel to Estonia for his country's Euro 2024 qualifiers after he was denied the captaincy role in his side's last game against Austria.

In the absence of the injured skipper Kelvin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku wore the captain's armband during Belgium's 1-1 draw with Austria last Saturday, a decision the Real Madrid number one finds insulting.

According to Belgium coach Domenico Tedesco, the plan was to have the two deputy captains lead the team in the two games during the international break.

“After the game, Thibaut suddenly wanted to talk to me and told me he was going home because he was disappointed and felt insulted,” Tedesco said in a press conference on Monday.

“In my eyes, he’s the best goalkeeper in the world. I appreciate him as a goalkeeper and also as a person.

“I’m surprised and shocked that he felt offended and disappointed.

“In March, we decided that Kevin would be captain and there would be two vice-captains – Lukaku and Courtois,” he added.

Belgium suffered dressing room fights which saw the team crash out in the group stage at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

Captain Eden Hazard announced his retirement from the national team in the aftermath of the disappointing campaign.

Coach Roberto Martinez also resigned from his role as head coach of the Red Devils.

WDN