{
  "id": 6408707,
  "title": "Courtois to put Belgium career on hold",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/09/courtois-to-put-belgium-career-on-hold",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-09T10:30:12.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/courtois-put-belgium-career-hold-103012794.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Thibaut Courtois has announced he will put his Belgium career on hold until September 2027. The 34-year-old goalkeeper made his final international appearance at this summer's World Cup. Courtois will only return to the national team for Euro 2028 qualifiers next year. He will miss the upcoming Nations League campaign, which starts with a match against Italy on September 25. Real Madrid goalkeeper Courtois informed the Red Devils' manager, Mark Van Bommel, of his decision beforehand. Van Bommel could not guarantee Courtois the starting No. 1 shirt. The goalkeeper said he has put himself on standby for the European Championship qualifiers if the national coach faces injury problems. The 24-year-old Senne Lammens from Manchester United and the 21-year-old Mike Penders from Chelsea are among the options for Van Bommel in Courtois' absence. Courtois expressed his desire to fight for his place as the first-choice keeper and prove he can be the starter again.",
  "summary": "Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois said in quotes published on Wednesday he has decided to put his Belgium career on standby until September 2027.\"If the goalkeeper playing in the Nations League performs well, Van Bommel might continue with him.",
  "key_points": [
    "Thibaut Courtois to pause Belgium career until September 2027",
    "Will return for Euro 2028 qualifiers and national team",
    "Real Madrid manager Mark Van Bommel informed of decision"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Channel News Asia",
        "title": "Courtois given green light to skip Belgium’s Nations League campaign, reports say",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/09/courtois-given-green-light-to-skip-belgiums-nations-league-campaign",
        "published": "2026-09-09T07:35:51.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}