Belgium’s renowned goalkeeper, Thibaut Courtois, delivered a sobering announcement on Tuesday, confirming his absence from the upcoming Euro 2024 championship. The Real Madrid stalwart, battling a severe knee injury sustained during training in August, revealed his unfortunate sidelining from the prestigious tournament.
“Due to the injury, there will be no European championships for me anyway,” Courtois conveyed to Belgian outlet Sporza, acknowledging the harsh reality of his situation. Follow your favourite football team with attractive football betting odds from Nextbet.
The 31-year-old shot-stopper’s road to recovery has been arduous, with an uncertain timeline looming ahead. Expressing cautious optimism, Courtois hinted at a potential return in May but acknowledged the challenge of attaining optimal readiness for a major tournament.
The European football spectacle, set to commence in Germany on June 14, will unfold without Courtois guarding Belgium’s goalposts. The FIFA-ranked fourth national team finds itself placed in Group E alongside Slovakia and Romania for the tournament.
Courtois’s decision reverberates amid prior tensions within the Belgian camp, notably a disagreement with coach Domenico Tedesco. The rift emerged when Courtois declined to participate in a qualifying game in Estonia after being overlooked for the stand-in captaincy, a decision he later regretted.
Apologizing to teammates and fans for his stance, Courtois emphasized feeling undervalued but expressed a desire to resolve matters amicably with Tedesco, stressing the need for reconciliation following a breach of trust.
Asserting that his withdrawal from Euro 2024 does not mark the end of his international tenure, Courtois clarified, “The door is not closed for me.” However, his primary focus remains steadfastly on his responsibilities with Real Madrid this season, with the European Championship not factoring into his plans for an optimal return.
Courtois’s absence from the upcoming Euro 2024 not only alters Belgium’s defensive dynamics but signifies a personal setback in his aspirations, underscoring the relentless challenges faced by athletes navigating the delicate balance between recovery and ambition on the international stage. Get the latest updates from the world of football only on Nextbet Sports.
