Kevin De Bruyne and Thibaut Courtois Maintain Professional Distance Despite Over a Decade of Tension

Belgian national team stars Kevin De Bruyne and Thibaut Courtois have maintained a visibly strained relationship that dates back more than a decade, with recent footage showing the players deliberately avoiding acknowledgment of each other despite their shared accomplishment. The two superstars, who have shared a locker room since Belgium's emergence as a football powerhouse, have managed to continue playing together professionally despite unresolved personal friction that began years before their current prominence.

The Origin of the Rift

The conflict between De Bruyne and Courtois originates from events surrounding De Bruyne's relationship with Caroline Lijnen, a former tennis player, which lasted from 2010 until approximately 2013. During their time together, De Bruyne disclosed to Lijnen that he had been unfaithful with someone close to her. Though the relationship continued briefly afterward, it never fully recovered from the revelation.

The situation escalated when Courtois, then on loan at Atletico Madrid from Chelsea, developed a romantic involvement with Lijnen. According to Lijnen's account in a 2014 interview, she felt the attention and support from Courtois represented what had been absent from her previous relationship. What remained a private matter for years eventually became public knowledge when De Bruyne referenced the situation in his 2014 autobiography, "Keep It Simple."

Managing the Conflict at the National Level

When the personal conflict became known to Belgium's management, then-manager Marc Wilmots reportedly asked De Bruyne whether he wished to have Courtois removed from the squad. De Bruyne declined the option, recognizing that Courtois's abilities as a goalkeeper were important to the team's performance. This decision meant the two players would continue to interact regularly within the national team environment.

Despite the underlying tension, both players have continued to represent Belgium at the highest level. Recent observations during a World Cup match showed De Bruyne and Courtois pointedly avoiding eye contact and acknowledgment as their teammates celebrated advancement from the group stage. The moment highlighted how the personal rift remains unresolved even after more than a decade of coexistence.

Recent Public Statements

In a 2025 podcast appearance, Courtois offered unprompted praise for De Bruyne, describing him as someone possessing significant talent combined with strong work ethic. This public compliment suggested a degree of professional respect between the two, though it did not appear to have translated into warmer personal relations based on their recent behavior together.