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Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois was forced off injured during his team’s World Cup quarter-final clash against Spain on 11 July 2026. The Real Madrid star, aged 34, left the pitch in the 71st minute when the score was level at 1-1. He was replaced by Manchester United’s Senne Lammens.

According to reports from L'Équipe, Courtois had previously hinted at the possibility of retiring from international football before the start of the tournament, meaning this injury could potentially mark the end of his career with the Belgian national team.

Earlier in the match, during the 62nd minute, Courtois had made a crucial save, blocking a powerful shot from Spain’s Mikel Oyarzabal with his left thigh. However, following that intervention, he appeared to be in discomfort and went down clutching his thigh, unable to continue playing.

As he made his way off the field, Courtois was visibly emotional and in tears, before taking a seat on the bench to watch the remainder of the game from the sidelines.

The injury is a significant blow for Belgium, given Courtois’s importance to the team and his long-standing role as one of the top goalkeepers in world football. His potential retirement would mark the end of an era for the Belgian national side.