From the tangle of headlines and personal history to shared locker rooms and national pride—are De Bruyne and Courtois friends is a question that has fascinated Belgian football fans. The short answer: they’re not close friends, but they maintain a professional respect. There’s tension rooted in the past, but they share the field for club and country with mutual admiration when duty calls.
In this article, BraeckBall will untangle the facts, the rumours, the developments, and where things stand now between Kevin De Bruyne and Thibaut Courtois.
Background: Who They Are
Kevin De Bruyne and Thibaut Courtois are two of Belgium’s greatest, pillars in the “Golden Generation.” De Bruyne dominates the midfield with vision, precision passing, and creativity. Courtois is among the world’s elite goalkeepers, with imposing presence and consistency between the sticks. Both have won major trophies for club and country, and both are household names. Their paths have crossed many times—at Chelsea early on, and more importantly for Belgium.
The controversy: What caused the rift
There’s one big incident that often comes up when discussing are De Bruyne and Courtois friends: a personal controversy involving De Bruyne’s former girlfriend, Caroline Lijnen, and Courtois.
- The timeline: Around 2012-2014, while De Bruyne and Lijnen were in a relationship, it is claimed that De Bruyne had cheated. In response, Lijnen later revealed she had an affair with Courtois.
- The fallout: The scandal caused a strain, both public and private. Many reports say De Bruyne was “devastated,” and the matter lingered in the background of their interactions for years.
What’s the current state of their relationship?
Despite the controversy, some signs suggest time has mellowed parts of the tension. Here’s what recent developments show:
Mutual respect
Thibaut Courtois has publicly praised De Bruyne. On podcasts and interviews, Courtois has labelled De Bruyne “incredibly talented,” a hard worker, and one of the best of Belgium. This suggests that despite personal issues, there is professional admiration.
Working together in Belgium
They continue to represent Belgium together. Even though things haven’t been perfect behind the scenes, the national team has called up both players for important competitions, showing that the footballing authorities see value in having both.
Courtois’s absence and return
- Courtois was absent.
- Under the new manager, Rudi Garcia, Courtois was recalled. Garcia’s appointment seems to have reset some of the tension at the national team level.
Captaincy & leadership dynamics
Courtois was not given the captain’s armband upon his return. De Bruyne (possibly alongside Romelu Lukaku) has been seen in the leadership role. That may signal residual trust differences, or simply team management preferring continuity.
Have they reconciled or remained distant?
So, do they hang out off the pitch? Probably not. Are they outwardly hostile? No, not recently. Here’s how to characterize their present relationship when asking are De Bruyne and Courtois friends:
- Not best friends: There is no evidence of close personal friendship—no joint public appearances, interviews together, or shows of warmth beyond standard national team camaraderie.
- Professional respect: Courtois’ praise of De Bruyne, De Bruyne’s acceptance of Courtois back into the national team setup, and both continuing their roles point to a working relationship built on respect.
- Tension likely reduced, but not erased: The scandal left scars, and some personal distance remains. The captaincy decisions, for example, may reflect that residual nuance.
What insiders say
- Courtois acknowledged De Bruyne’s greatness in Belgium and England, speaking warmly about his influence.
- Reports suggest that the old controversy is less discussed now; attention has shifted to performance, leadership, and Belgium’s future.
Factors that could influence future relations
If we think ahead, several factors could shape whether their relationship gets better, stays neutral, or becomes strained again:
- Changes in leadership: A different coach with different values might shift dynamics.
- Position and captaincy roles: Who is seen as the leader matters in team cohesion.
- Personal decisions: Public apologies, mutual statements, or off-field reconciliation could help.
- Team success or failure: Shared triumphs often heal old wounds; shared failures can stir up underlying tension.
Conclusion
Are De Bruyne and Courtois friends? Not exactly in the social sense. But BraeckBall sees that these two Belgian greats share more than drama—they share respect, commitment, and national duty. Despite a messy past, recent years show signs that things have cooled to professional cordiality.
If you want reliable facts, updates, or analysis on player relationships, transfers, or match stories, stick with BraeckBall. We’ll keep following De Bruyne, Courtois, and all the drama, glory, and twists because in football, nothing stays still.
