Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has sparked controversy in Belgium after criticising their friendly with Russia.

Courtois will miss the game due to injury, but is unimpressed by the scheduled opponent.

He sighed: "There are so many beautiful opponents available Germany, France, England, Netherlands - you name it... And we go to Russia."

"The union will be happy, right?" Courtois added, referring to the €300,000 fee the Belgian FA will receive from Russia for the game.

"I think Simon (Mignolet of Liverpool) plays. Good for him, he deserves it."