There is just a month left before the 2024 Euro kicks off. National team coaches are already beginning to announce their teams' squads. A few national teams haven't announced their squads yet but we already know that some world-class players are set to miss the tournament. Let's see who will definitely not travel to the Euro!
This year, the list is quite lengthy.
Thibaut Courtois, Belgium
Belgium's number one, Thibaut Courtois, certainly will miss the 2024. The goalkeeper made this decision after he quarreled with the team's head coach, Domenico Tedesco.
The two fell out last summer when Tedesco claimed Courtois had missed a 2024 Euro qualifier against Estonia because he was upset at not being named the captain. Tedesco accused Thibault in public, and the goalkeeper fired back, calling him a liar. It seems that while Domenico manages the national team, Courtois will not play for Belgium.
Thibaut recently returned to the Real Madrid goal. The Spanish media say that Ancelotti is seriously counting on the Belgian in the Champions League final. Now Courtois is getting game practice, having moved Andriy Lunin to the bench in the 5-0 thrashing of Alaves.
David Alaba, Austria
Real Madrid's Austrian midfielder is another painful loss for the Spanish club. He, Thibaut, and Eder Militao suffered untimely injuries. Now Ralf Rangnick must decide who will replace one of his team's leaders.
Alaba is a versatile player, which makes him a key figure in the team. It is reported that his recovery from the injury coincides with the start of the European Championship. However, the head coach of Austria will not risk the player’s health and will not include him in the squad.
Domenico Berardi, Italy
The reigning European champion suffered an Achilles rupture in March. Domenico Berardi is plagued by injuries. Before the current knock, he had just recovered from a ruptured meniscus.
The forward will not help Italy defend the European champions title on the fields of Germany. Apart from Berardi, the Italian national team can definitely not count on Sandro Tonali, who is suspended for gambling addiction.
Sven Botman, Netherlands
Ronald Koeman has no shortage of center-back options. The Dutch national team has enough players who can cement the defense. But the injury to Sven Botman, who performed admirably at Newcastle, is a serious blow to the depth of the squad. Koeman would surely have included the Dutchman in the national team’s roster. Also, the coach cannot count on Timber, who again received a serious injury.
Lewis Ferguson, Scotland
The 24-year-old Bologna star suffered an untimely injury. Ferguson became the leader of the team that surprised everyone in the Serie A. In the match against Monza, he was forced off the pitch and thereby significantly weakened the Scottish attacking line.
Juventus and Napoli were ready to open their wallets after the European Championship, but they will have to wait. Ferguson will go to support Scotland as a fan and nothing more.
Gavi, Spain
Last November, Spain's young talent was injured playing against the sensational Georgian team. “It can happen in any situation," said head coach De la Fuente. “It was an accident. He was perfect for the game.”
Gavi, who previously played in almost every match, is now often on the sidelines. However, Spain have enough midfielders to at least qualify from the group.
Lucas Hernández, France
The 28-year-old defender definitely will miss France's trip to the Euro after being injured in the match against Borussia in the Champions League. According to media reports, Hernández has already undergone surgery. Didier Deschamps will not be able to count on the player, but this cannot be called significant damage.
Hernández spent only 13 minutes on the pitch at the last World Cup. He is a versatile player who can cover the flank and the center of defence.
Christopher Nkunku, France
The loss of Nkunku could be very painful, because he is a top-level player. Christopher's hopes of traveling to Germany were dashed after a hamstring injury in January. The 26-year-old footballer has been plagued by injuries and has been unable to score his debut goal for his home national team.
However, Deschamps has such a rich selection of performers that he may not even notice the loss of Nkunku. It all depends on who replaces him as an attacking midfielder. All we can say for sure is that it won't be Paul Pogba.
Ivan Perisic, Croatia
The legendary 35-year-old player will not help Zlatko Dalic and Croatia at the future Euro. Perisic injured his knee during training. The national team veteran wanted to go to what could be his last top international tournament, but it was not meant to be.
The Tottenham coach, Ange Postecoglou, said that the injury is not serious and the player is ready to return to the field in April. However, due to the age, the recovery was delayed. Luka Modric will be left without his peer.
Reece James, England
“Could he play seven games in the Euros? His record over the last few years would suggest no. But is he a top-level player who could provide something important? It’s not even a question.” said England's boss Gareth Southgate, commenting on the player’s physical form.
James can't find his game at Chelsea. He doesn't have much time to convince Southgate. Everything is heading towards the fact that the defender will not be included in the Three Lions’ squad for the Euro.
Ben White, England
“It’s a great shame, he’s a player I really like, a player we took to the Euros, a player I took to the World Cup. I spoke to him post-Qatar because I was keen to pick him, there was clearly reluctance on his side. I don't know why that is, but I must respect that,” said Gareth Southgate.
Ben White's relationship with the head coach can be described as catastrophically complicated. Ben withdrew from the 2022 World Cup due to ‘personal reasons’. The Three Lions manager Southgate tried to call up the Arsenal right-back for international matches against Brazil and Belgium in March. Still, the Gunners’ sporting director Edu said the player had chosen the club over the country.
Due to the choice he made, White will most likely stay at the club for the whole summer watching his England teammates from the screen.
