Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has been left out of Belgium’s squad for the 2024 European Championship in Germany. The provisional 25-man squad features many Premier League stars including Manchester City duo Kevin De Bruyne, Jeremy Doku Arsenal’s Leandro Trossard, Aston Villa’s Youri Tielemans, Everton midfielder Amadou Onana, Leicester’s Wout Faes and Fulham’s Timothy Castagne.....Read The Full Story Here ▶
Romelu Lukaku, who has spent the season on loan at Roma from Chelsea and is Belgium’s record goalscorer, is also part of the squad going to Germany.
Courtois, who has been capped 102 times, has just returned from an ACL injury after missing most of the season, but is expected to play in Saturday’s Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund.
Last month head coach Domenico Tedesco said Courtois, would not be selected, saying he was “focusing on players who are in good shape” adding: “I don’t want a tit-for-tat situation.”
Tedesco has chosen Wolfsburg’s Koen Casteels, Luton goalkeeper Thomas Kaminski and Nottingham Forest’s Matz Sels as the keepers.
It comes after Tedesco claimed Courtois had refused to travel with the squad last June after he was overlooked for the captaincy.
Speaking on Tuesday, Tedesco said: “Courtois was very clear and honest and early in his communication. The latest information we received is that he is not ready for the European Championships. He knows his body best.”
Belgium have the option of adding one more player before Uefa’s 7 June deadline.
Belgium are in Group E with Romania, Ukraine and Slovakia. They open their tournament against the Slovaks in Frankfurt on 17 June.