THIBAUT COURTOIS’ model fiancee Mishel Gerzig has weighed in on the keeper’s withdrawal from the Belgium squad following an alleged row over the captaincy.
Kevin de Bruyne’s absence from Domenico Tedesco’s side meant the head coach had a decision to make about who was going to be his skipper for their upcoming Euro 2024 qualifiers against Austria and Estonia.
He decided Romelu Lukaku would wear the armband against Austria on Saturday, before handing it to Courtois for tonight’s clash with Estonia.
However, reports on Monday stated Courtois, 31, had failed to return to the Belgium camp after the 1-1 draw with Austria – 24 hours before their game against Estonia.
The Real Madrid shot-stopper insists this is due to a knee injury.
But Tedesco told reporters on Monday: “I wish I could say it’s an injury, but I can’t lie.”
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Reports in Belgium have also claimed Courtois’ withdrawal is linked to his marriage to Israeli model Gerzig in the south of France next week.
Now Gerzig has leapt to the defence of her soon-to-be husband with a couple of Instagram posts.
The first showed Courtois with strapping on his knee as he relaxed on a private jet.
And she added the caption: “The strongest person I know. I am so proud of you.”
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Israeli Gerzig then posted another message with a lengthy paragraph about Courtois.
She said: “No one can take away the legendary player you are, the leader, the fighter.
“You always put the team and the club in front of you eyes and give your 1000%. Even when you are in pain. You never give up.
“I’m sorry to hear all the rumours that are spread by people that just waited for the opportunity to put you down or hurt your name.
“Those people don’t understand that you are the definition of high quality football.
“A player that plays from the heart and a supporting, stable rock to his team-mates.
“A true leader, a real legend. And legends never go down. By no one.”
Reports have claimed Courtois ripped into a number of his team-mates following their draw with Austria at the weekend.
Het Nieuwsblad claimed a late-night phone call with Tedesco failed to convince him to stay with the squad.
And some of his team-mates are understood to be of the opinion that 102-cap man Courtois’ upcoming wedding played a part in his decision.
The celebration – taking place in France – will see 300 people attend over two days.
After Tedesco refuted the notion Courtois had withdrawn due to injury, the ex-Chelsea man posted a statement on his own website.
It read: “This afternoon I was surprised to hear the coach’s press conference in which he gave a partial and subjective account of a private conversation we had after the match against Austria.
“I want to make it clear that it is not the first time or the last time that I talk to a coach about issues related to a locker room, but it is the first time that someone decides to tell it publicly.
“I am deeply disappointed with this, but I want to make it clear that the coach’s assessments do not fit with reality.
“I insist that in no case have I demanded anything and that I have spoken to my team-mate Romelu Lukaku to clarify any circumstances relating to this situation.
“Furthermore yesterday afternoon I underwent a check-up for a problem in my right knee. The medical team of my club and the national team were in contact and reviewed all the corresponding material to make the decision to leave the training camp.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
