Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois will miss Belgium’s upcoming Nations League campaign after talks with new head coach Mark van Bommel.

Axar.az reports, citing Goal, that Courtois said the decision was made after a meeting with Van Bommel in Madrid, citing the need to manage his workload and recover physically. He said he would only return during the Nations League if the coach faced an injury crisis.

Van Bommel also told Courtois that he could not guarantee him a starting place when he returns, meaning the goalkeeper will have to compete for his position.

Courtois, 34, stressed that he has not retired from international football and said he would make himself available again for Belgium’s European Championship qualifying campaign.