SEATTLE: Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois is thinking about ending his international career after the World Cup, he said on Thursday as his team prepared for their Group G opener against Egypt in Seattle.
The 34-year-old, who won the first of his 109 caps in 2011, suggested it was time to pass the torch after the tournament in Canada, Mexico and the United States.
“I don’t know if we should be talking about the future right now, but the chances are greater that I won’t continue after this tournament than that I will,” he told reporters at the Belgian team base.
“I still want to play for a few more years.“And then you have to take care of your body. My family is here because this could be my last tournament.”But the Real Madrid goalkeeper also suggested he could be persuaded to continue.
“If we have a good World Cup, of course. And continuing to feel the good atmosphere within the group. Afterward, I’ll need to have an internal discussion with the coach, (technical director) Vincent Mannaert, and the doctors.”Courtois said that under former coach Domenico Tedesco he was allowed to skip some international breaks, and that reinforced his thinking.
