We are six months away from one of the best national team tournaments in the world, but sad news have come for those who enjoy the beautiful game.
One of the finest goalkeepers in the world has confirmed his absence from the 2024 UEFA Euro earlier today. In an interview with Belgian media outlet Sporza, Thibaut Courtois admitted that there will be no time for him to recover properly, which is why he will turn down the chance to play for the Red Devils next summer.
"I will not be playing in the upcoming Euro due to my injury. I have to do my best to come back in the best possible shape, and it is better if I do not set a recovery date or a goal. If everything goes well I could be back in May, but it would be very little time to give my best for the national team in such a big tournament," the goalkeeper stated.
Courtois picked up this injury two days before the start of the 2023-24 season, which sidelined him from both the Belgian side and Real Madrid this year.
Despite being unavailable for the national team next summer, Courtois ruled out thinking about retirement from the Red Devils, naming the reasons to dismiss such a decision.
"No (about retiring), because I enjoy playing for the Red Devils very much. I have been accused of forcing my way into every lineup, and whenever I was unavailable during Martínez's term, rumors started about me not wanting to play for the team again. Rest assured, I love playing for the national team. Playing a World Cup or in the Euros are the best things a footballer can experience, with the UEFA Champions League final maybe right next to those," Courtois added.
Courtois is the seventh most-capped player in Belgium's history with over 102 apps for the Red Devils. He was a member of the historic 2018 team that finished third in the 2018 World Cup, and given his age and skills, he seems set to play for Belgium in the 2026 edition of the tournament.
