Former Chelsea star Thibaut Courtois has explained why he's been kicked out of a team WhatsApp group

Thibaut Courtois has revealed that he was removed from Belgium's WhatsApp group after making an unusual request over the summer. The former Chelsea goalkeeper asked to take a one-year break from international football following Belgium's elimination from the World Cup.

The 34-year-old started the quarter-final clash against Spain but was substituted in tears during the 2-1 defeat, with Senne Lammens coming on in his place. Courtois appeared to be struggling with a left thigh problem, although he later insisted the injury had not significantly affected him and explained that the decision to replace him had been made by manager Rudi Garcia.

The change ultimately proved costly, with Manchester United goalkeeper Lammens making a late mistake that allowed Mikel Merino to score Spain's winning goal. Courtois was visibly devastated at the final whistle as Belgium's World Cup campaign came to a heartbreaking end.

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Speaking in an interview over the summer, Courtois admitted: "I want to rest for a year with no Belgium games, and then play the Euro 2028 qualifiers and the Euro 2028. I don't know if Belgium will agree to this."

Courtois has now revealed that he was removed from the national team's WhatsApp group, although he played down the incident by insisting he remains in contact with several of his teammates.

Despite the setback, the goalkeeper remains confident of representing the Red Devils again following the appointment of new manager Mark van Bommel. "I've been kicked out of the players' WhatsApp group," the goalkeeper said in an interview with DAZN.

"That group is for communicating information, like training schedules. There are a few messages now and then, but not too many.

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"Everyone was quite satisfied after the first training camp with Van Bommel. The team is on the right track, as is the coach. This team has a great future."

With international fixtures set to resume in November, it remains unclear whether Courtois will be recalled to the Belgium squad.

Should Courtois decide to retire from international football permanently, Lammens and Chelsea youngster Mike Penders are expected to battle it out for Belgium's No. 1 spot.

"I've never gone to the national team assuming I was automatically going to play," he added. "I know my qualities and I know I can be important for the team.

"Nobody has to guarantee me a starting spot. If Senne Lammens, Maarten Vandevoordt, or Mike Penders have performed well and the coach prefers to play them, there's no problem. It doesn't bother me at all."

Courtois, who has earned 115 caps for Belgium, spent seven years at Chelsea between 2011 and 2018 before leaving the club for Real Madrid, where he still plies his trade.