Thibaut Courtois, the goalkeeper for Real Madrid, has been left off of Belgium’s preliminary 25-man roster for Euro 2024.
In addition to missing further time due to an ACL tear, Courtois also sustained a meniscus injury just prior to making his first appearance back on the field in 2023–24.
In the latter stages of Madrid’s thrilling La Liga season, the 32-year-old made four appearances. He may possibly feature in Saturday’s Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund.
But Courtois will be off this summer, reports 90 min.
Instead, Nottingham Forest’s Matz Sels, Luton Town’s Thomas Kaminski, and Wolfsburg’s Koen Casteels have been chosen by Red Devils manager Domenico Tedesco. Together, these three have only earned 17 senior caps.
See Also: Barcelona Wants To Make Thiago Alcantara Assistant Manager
The only players who have played more for Belgium than Courtois is Jan Vertonghen, Axel Witsel, Toby Alderweireld, Eden Hazard, Romelu Lukaku, and Dries Mertens.
Having participated in the FIFA World Cups in 2014, 2018, and 2022, as well as the 2016 and 2020 Euros, this will be Courtois’s first big tournament absence since Belgium’s comeback to prominence.
The Belgium Stars for Euro 2024 include: Goalkeepers; Koen Casteels (Wolfsburg), Matz Sels (Nottingham Forest),Thomas Kaminski (Luton Town).
Defenders; Jan Vertonghen (Anderlecht), Axel Witsel (Atletico Madrid), Thomas Meunier (Trabzonspor), Timothy Castagne (Fulham), Arthur Theate (Rennes), Wout Faes (Leicester City), Zeno Debast (Anderlecht), Maxim De Cuyper (Club Brugge)
Midfielders; Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City), Youri Tielemans (Aston Villa), Orel Mangala (Lyon/Nottingham Forest),Amadou Onana (Everton), Aster Vranckx (Wolfsburg), Arthur Vermeeren (Atletico Madrid).
Forwards; Romelu Lukaku (Roma/Chelsea), Yannick Carrasco (Al-Shabab), Leandro Trossard (Arsenal), Jeremy Doku (Manchester City), Lois Openda (RB Leipzig), Dodi Lukebakio (Sevilla), Charles De Ketelaere (Atalanta/Milan), Johan Bakayoko (PSV Eindhoven)
COMMENTS