Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has denied the claims of Belgium coach Domenico Tedesco that he walked out on the squad over the weekend.

Tedesco declared Courtois went AWOL after he was overlooked for the captaincy against Austria in favour of Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku, who spent last season on-loan with Inter Milan.

But the keeper has since released a statement denying his coach's assertion.

He said: “This afternoon I was surprised to hear the coach's press conference in which he gave a partial and subjective account of a private conversation we had after the match against Austria.

“I want to make it clear that it is not the first time or the last time that I talk to a coach about issues related to a locker room, but it is the first time that someone decides to tell it publicly.

“I am deeply disappointed with this, but I want to make it clear that the coach's assessments do not fit with reality.

“In that conversation I asked him, not for direct benefit, to explain and make decisions to avoid situations that in the past have harmed us while always looking for the general benefit. To be or not to be the national team captain is neither a whim nor a random decision, it should be his decision and that is what I tried to convey to him. Unfortunately, I did not achieve my purpose.

“I insist that in no case have I demanded anything and that I have spoken to my teammate Romelu Lukaku to clarify any circumstances related to this situation. At the same time, I want to make it clear that I did not have any discussion on any similar subject with any teammate, as has been claimed.

“Furthermore, yesterday afternoon I underwent a check-up for a problem in my right knee. The medical team of my Club and the national team were in contact and reviewed all the corresponding material to make the decision to leave the training camp."