Thibaut Courtois has been left out of Belgium’s Euro 2024 squad.
The Real Madrid goalkeeper has recovered from an ACL injury after missing most of the season but is expected to start Saturday’s Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund.
Courtois, who has played 102 games for his country, was dropped by coach Domenico Tedesco in favor of Koen Casteels, Thomas Kaminski and Matz Sels.
Previously, he said that the 32-year-old player will not be selected as he has not played for a long time and has kept his promise.
Last year, Tedesco also said that Courtois refused to leave to join the team after being overlooked as captain.
But this time, there seems to be an agreement between the two sides to suggest that he is not ready for a busy summer.
The road to Berlin starts here. 🫡 pic.twitter.com/2X2CZ6ddkE
– Belgian Red Devils (@BelRedDevils) May 28, 2024
Tedesco said: “Courtois was very clear and honest and we started communicating with him.
“The latest information we have received is that he is not ready to go to the European Championships. He knows his body very well.”
There are many star names included in Belgium’s Euro 2024 squad, including eight Premier League players.
Manchester City duo Kevin De Bruyne and Jeremy Doku have both been nominated while Arsenal’s Leandro Trossard, Aston Villa’s Youri Tielemans, Everton midfielder Amadou Onana, Leicester defender Wout Faes and Fulham’s Timothy Castagne have also been nominated.
On-loan Roma striker Romelu Lukaku will be playing in Germany after enjoying a fine campaign in Italy and there was a shocking recall of Atletico Madrid’s Alex Witsel, who retired from international football.
A familiar face! 🦋 pic.twitter.com/Rctr7dxDKE
– Belgian Red Devils (@BelRedDevils) May 28, 2024
Belgium can add one player to their squad before the June 7 deadline.
They will open their Euro 2024 campaign against Slovakia on June 17 before facing Romania and Ukraine alongside them in Group E.
The full Belgian team
Goalkeepers: Matz Sels (Nottingham Forest), Koen Casteels (Wolfsburg), Thomas Kaminski (Luton)
The protectors: Wout Faes (Leicester), Timothy Castagne (Fulham), Arthur Theate (Rennes), Jan Vertonghen (Anderlecht), Axel Witsel (Atletico Madrid), Zeno Debast (Anderlecht), Thomas Meunier (Trabzonspor), Maxim De Cuyper (Club Brugge ), )
Midfielders: Aster Vranckx (Wolfsburg), Youri Tielemans (Aston Villa), Orel Mangala (Lyon), Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City), Arthur Vermeeren (Atletico Madrid), Amadou Onana (Everton)
Forward: Romelu Lukaku (Roma), Charles De Ketelaere (Atalanta), Jeremy Doku (Manchester City), Lois Openda (Leipzig), Leandro Trossard (Arsenal), Johan Bakayoko (PSV Eindhoven), Dodi Lukebakio (Sevilla), Yannick Carrasco (Al -Shabab)
