Thibaut Courtois has made an important decision with the final stage of his career in mind.The Real Madrid goalkeeper will not take part in the upcoming UEFA Nations League with Belgium, although he made it very clear that this does not mean he is retiring from international soccer.

According to Report, the 34-year-old goalkeeper reached this decision after speaking with Belgium’s new head coach, Mark van Bommel. Courtois’ intention is to reduce his workload over the coming months and remain at his physical best.

Van Bommel understood the goalkeeper’s position and accepted his decision. However, there is also one important condition: when Courtois decides to return, he will have to compete for the starting job again.

According to Reuters, Courtois will not participate in the upcoming Nations League campaign, in which Belgium will face Italy, Turkey and France.

There is only one exception. If Van Bommel faces an emergency caused by multiple injuries among his goalkeepers, the Real Madrid star would be willing to make an extraordinary return.

Courtois also made it clear that this break does not represent a farewell to the Red Devils. His intention is to make himself available again when qualifying for Euro 2028 begins.

After more than a decade protecting his country’s goal, the objective now is to find a balance between his commitments with Real Madrid and an international career he does not yet consider finished.

From his first press conference as Belgium head coach, held on August 7, Van Bommel made it clear that he wanted to speak personally with Courtois before making any decision about his international future.

The coach explained at the time that he planned to travel to Madrid alongside sporting director Vincent Mannaert to hear directly from the goalkeeper about his plans.

Van Bommel had already held brief contact with Courtois via video call, but he wanted a face-to-face conversation before determining the next step.

The new head coach’s message was important: he would not travel to Madrid with a decision already made.

He also publicly defended the quality of the Real Madrid star, whom he considers one of the great goalkeepers of his generation.

That position left the door open to finding a solution that worked for both sides.

One month later, the situation is much clearer: Courtois will take a break during the Nations League, while Van Bommel is keeping the door open for his return during the next competitive cycle.

But having the door open does not mean having the position reserved.

Spanish second-division side Eldense say Argentina great Lionel Messi has reached a “preliminary agreement” to become the club’s majority shareholder.

Eldense will become the second Spanish club Messi has invested in, having bought Catalan side Cornella in April.

The 39-year-old former Barcelona forward currently plays for Inter Miami and recently retired from international football after Argentina were beaten 1-0 by Spain in the 2026 World Cup final.

Eldense said: “A preliminary agreement has been reached with Lionel Messi for the acquisition of the shares currently owned by Grupo TH Soluciones, which would make him the club’s majority shareholder.

“The transaction is currently subject to the completion of the remaining legal and contractual procedures, including the due diligence process, as well as the required authorisation from the Spanish National Sports Council (CSD).”

The club, based in Alicante, have two points from four games this season and, sitting 20th in La Liga 2, parted ways with head coach Claudio Barragan earlier this week.

Cornella are in the fifth tier of Spanish football and in April said Messi’s ownership “reinforces his close ties to Barcelona and his commitment to the development of sport and local talent in Catalonia”.

Jose Mourinho led Real Madrid defeated the Manager’s former club, Internazionale 2-1 in their first Champions League group stage match. 

Mourinho who spoke after the match said he could not celebrate his club’s win.

The Coach said it’s difficult facing one’s old club hence, he did not enjoy the match.

” I tried to treat it as a normal match, but it wasn’t a normal match.

“I tried to stay focused, and for those 90 minutes, I did. But I couldn’t celebrate. You know, of course, I was very happy to win the match, but I couldn’t celebrate in front of them” he confessed.