Brussels, Belgium: Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has delivered a blow to football fans by ruling himself out of the Euro 2024 championship, citing a severe knee injury that has kept him sidelined since August.
The 31-year-old Real Madrid stopper ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during training, and despite expressing hope to play another match in May, he believes he won’t be in optimal condition for a major tournament.
In an interview with Belgian outlet Sporza, Courtois acknowledged the impact of his injury on his European Championship aspirations.
“Due to the injury, there will be no European championships for me anyway,” he stated, adding, “If I’m lucky, I can play another match in May. But then you can never be 100 per cent ready for a big tournament.”
The Euro 2024 championship is set to kick off in Germany on June 14, leaving Courtois with insufficient time for a full recovery and preparation. Belgium, currently ranked fourth in the world by FIFA, finds itself in Group E alongside Slovakia and Romania.
Courtois’ decision comes in the wake of a recent dispute with the national team’s coach, Domenico Tedesco. The goalkeeper refused to play in a qualifying game against Estonia in June after being overlooked for the stand-in captaincy.
Despite the incident, Courtois apologized to his teammates and fans but emphasized that he felt a “lack of appreciation.”
Reflecting on his relationship with Tedesco, Courtois stated, “For me, it’s no problem to sort things out like two adults”.
“But where is the middle ground after a breach of trust like this?” The dispute does not mark the end of Courtois’ international career, as he affirmed that “the door is not closed for me.”
However, the goalkeeper acknowledged the importance of maintaining focus on his club, Real Madrid, for the remainder of the season.
He emphasized that the European Championship does not fit into his plans for a perfect return, prioritizing his recovery and performance with his club.
Courtois’ absence from the Euro 2024 adds an element of uncertainty to Belgium’s goalkeeping situation, as the national team will need to rely on alternative options to fill the void left by the experienced shot-stopper.
The setback also serves as a reminder of professional athletes’ unpredictability and challenges, with injuries often disrupting their aspirations on the grandest stages of international competition.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members
