Real Madrid superstar Thibaut Courtois misses out as Belgium announce provisional squad for Euro 2024
Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has failed to make Belgium's provisional squad for UEFA Euro 2024. The Red Devils announced their 25-man roster on Tuesday, May 28.
Courtois has missed much of the club season after suffering an ACL injury in pre-season last summer. The 32-year-old was sidelined until April this year, sitting out 47 matches for Los Blancos.
He has since made four appearances for the club in La Liga, keeping clean sheets in all of those games. Real Madrid won three of those fixtures and drew 0-0 against Real Betis in a match where he was substituted in the 63rd minute.
Belgium, however, have opted against taking him for the Euros as things stand. Wolfsburg goalkeeper Koen Casteels, Nottingham Forest custodian Mats Selz and Luton Town No. 1 Thomas Kaminski have made the cut instead. The three have notably combined to win 18 caps for their country compared to Courtois' 102.
Here is Belgium's complete provisional squad for Euro 2024:-
Goalkeepers: Casteels, Selz, Kaminski
Defenders: Maxim De Cuyper, Timothy Castagne, Thomas Meunier, Wout Faes, Jan Vertonghen, Arthur Theate, Zeno Debast
Midfielders: Orel Mangala, Kevin De Bruyne, Youri Tielemans, Amadou Onana, Axel Witsel, Aster Vranckx, Arthur Vermeeren
Attackers: Romelu Lukaku, Jeremy Doku, Leandro Trossard, Luis Openda, Johan Bakayoko, Charles De Ketelaere, Yannick Carrasco, Dodi Lukebakio
It's worth noting that teams can take up to 26 players to the Euros this year, which means Belgium potentially have one spot up for grabs.
Both Lunin and Courtois deserve to play: Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti undecided on who will start UCL final
Thibaut Courtois could still get one more chance to impress Belgium head coach Domenico Tedesco before the club season ends. Real Madrid will take on Borussia Dortmund in the UEFA Champions League final at Wembley on Saturday, June 1.
As things stand, however, Los Blancos boss Carlo Ancelotti has stated that he hasn't decided which goalkeeper he will start in the final. In Courtois' absence, Andriy Lunin has shone for Real Madrid, keeping 12 clean sheets in 31 appearances. He also made a few vital saves in their penalty shootout win over Manchester City in the UCL semifinals.
When asked about his decision on which goalkeeper will play in the final, Ancelotti said on Monday, May 27 (as quoted by The Athletic):
“It’s very difficult because both deserve to play in the final: Lunin because he has had a great season and Courtois because he has come back from injury. I will wait until the last day to decide.
“Lunin now has a fever, but he’ll be ready for Saturday. But the best goalkeeper in the world is also coming. I love the debate and if I tell you who plays, the debate is over.”
Ancelotti's comments came less than two weeks after ESPN reported that he would start the Belgian on Saturday.