'They Just Care About Their Pockets' - Thibaut Courtois Unloads On FIFA And UEFA In Honest Interview

Thibaut Courtois ripped into football's governing bodies and said "they just care about their pockets" following Belgium's UEFA Nations League third place play-off defeat to Italy on Sunday.

Belgium lost 2-1 to the European champions, a result that mirrored their game against world champions France in the semi-final a few days earlier.

Nico Barella and Domenico Berardi were the scorers for Italy, with Charles De Ketelaere notching a late consolation for Roberto Martinez's side.

Going into the game, Courtois had branded the game "pointless" and beforehand, he went a step further by heavily criticising FIFA and UEFA.

The Real Madrid goalkeeper feels players are effectively pawns in the football machine, and money will always be prioritised over the welfare of those on the pitch.

"This game is just a money game and we have to be honest about it," Courtois told Sky Sports.

"We just play it because for UEFA it's extra money.

"Look at how much both teams changed [line-ups]. If both teams would have been in the final there would have been other players in the final playing.

"This just shows that we play too many games."

There has been much discussion in regards to the lack of rest for players, with their physical limits being pushed that much further due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

It feels like the majority of top-level professionals are simply not getting a break due to the packed schedule and Courtois reckons it will only be worse if Arsene Wenger is successful in his bid to have a World Cup every two years instead of four.

They [UEFA] made an extra trophy [UEFA Conference League]… it is always the same," Courtois continued.

"They can be angry about other teams wanting a Super League but they don't care about the players, they just care about their pockets.

"It's a bad thing that players are not spoken about. And now you hear about a European Championship and a World Cup every year, when will we get a rest? Never."

The honest interview from Courtois was praised by former Liverpool and England defender Jamie Carragher, who was in complete agreement.

Featured Image Credit: Image: Sky Sports

Topics: Thibaut Courtois, Belgium, Real Madrid, UEFA Nations League

Josh Lawless

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and wrestling. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has interviewed some of the biggest names in the field - including the first UK interview with The Hardy Boyz after their return to WWE. He has never sported a pair of Lonsdale Slip-ons, contrary to reports.

@joshlawless_