Courtois rules himself out of Euro 2024

The serious knee injury which Thibaut Courtois suffered at the start of the season will leave him out of next summer’s Euro 2024 which will be held in Germany. The 31-year-old keeper is still in the recovery process after rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during the preseason. He told Belgian media Sporza that he has no chance of returning in time to feature for his national team at the tournament which starts on 14 June.

Courtois taking no chances

“I won’t be going to the next European Championships because of my injury. I have to recover 100 percent and it’s better not to set a recovery date or goals. If everything goes well I might be able to play in May - but even if that’s the case, it’s not much time to be ready to play in a big tournament with the national team with guarantees,” he explained.

What are Belgium’s options in goal at Euro 2024?

Belgium start Euro 2024 in Group E alongside Slovakia, Romania and the winners of the Path B play-offs (Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ukraine, Israel or Iceland). Their campaign kicks off on 17 June against Slovakia in Frankfurt. Since Courtois suffered his ACL injury, Belgium coach Domenico Tedesco has alternate Wolfsburg’s Koen Casteels and Strasbourg’s Matz Sels during the six games played in the three recent international breaks. He has also called up Thomas Kaminski and Arnaud Bodart. Three of them could be included in his Euro 2024 squad.

Thibaut Courtois underwent surgery on 17 August 17 to repair the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee. He sustained the injury in training on 10 August - just two days before the team’s LaLiga opener against Athletic Club. A setback which left Ancelotti’s team in shock and led to the signing of Kepa, on loan from Chelsea. At the time, it was estimated that Courtois would be sidelined for around nine months.