Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has categorically denied rumours of a rift in his crew’s camp following their 2-0 defeat in opposition to Morocco within the group stage match of the FIFA World Cup 2022.
“There are no problems in the team, it’s just an external attempt to create internal problems. Of course, after a defeat, nobody is happy, but it brings us even closer because we know that we will have to give everything on the lawn on Thursday,” Courtois was quoted as saying by Walfoot within the press convention on Tuesday.
“I was the first furious after the match, you saw the images (smile). But the problem is that there are too many lies around the group, in the press, on social networks, and everything the world takes for granted,” he asserts. “As a group, we can’t let this negativism affect us. Even if certain things have to be said.”
Courtois additional stated if the identification of the one “leaking” the information is out, they may have their “last day” within the Belgium crew.
Claiming reviews within the media as false, the Belgian goalkeeper additionally issued a warning to whoever was spreading the tales.
“We said things to each other, and sometimes it feels good. I don’t think we missed it, but it’s one thing to talk to each other at the table or individually or to talk in a group, to solve everything together. The problem, it’s that what’s said in the press isn’t always the truth. Whoever leaked this? We don’t need to know that. If it gets out, it’s his last day in the national team,” stated Courtois.
Belgium captain Eden Hazard additionally denied that there’s a rift within the squad.
“We had a good talk among the players,” Hazard stated. “A lot has been said. We talked for an hour about good things and less good things. Now we want to win against Croatia. We now have two days to prepare. We have to be ready.”
Hazard denied there was a confrontation within the dressing room after the Morocco loss, and stated he had spoken with midfielder Kevin De Bruyne after the latter was quoted as saying the Belgium squad was too outdated to win the World Cup.
“Nothing happened in the dressing room,” Hazard stated. “Only the coach (Roberto Martinez) spoke. I spoke to Kevin De Bruyne, he does believe in the group.”
