Thibaut Courtois, Gavi, and Other Star Names Likely to Miss Euro 2024

As the Euro 2024 tournament approaches, with the opening game just a few months away, fans are eagerly anticipating the event. However, for certain managers and players, there is growing concern as time runs out for several stars to fully recover from injuries and regain their fitness ahead of the tournament in Germany.

Unfortunately, some exceptional talents have already been ruled out of the competition due to injuries, with the dreaded ACL tear being a particularly devastating blow for modern footballers. Additionally, some players will miss the Euros due to suspensions.

Nevertheless, there are still hopeful players who remain optimistic about their chances of making it back into their national team squads. They have the next two months of the club season to prove their match fitness or rediscover their top form, aiming to secure a spot in their respective national teams for the tournament.

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Betimate provides an overview of the notable names who appear likely to miss the upcoming Euro 2024 tournament, which will be held in Germany.

David Alaba (Austria)

Among the Real Madrid players who endured an ACL tear this season, Alaba, unlike his teammates Thibaut Courtois and Eder Militao, had no possibility of making a comeback before the season's end. Alaba, a versatile Austrian defender, sustained his injury in December during a Liga match against Villarreal. With an anticipated recovery period of eight months, Alaba will unfortunately be unable to participate in Austria's Euro 2024 campaign.

Domenico Berardi (Italy)

Domenico Berardi, the versatile forward who was part of the victorious Italy squad at Euro 2020, suffered a complete tear of the Achilles tendon in his right leg during Sassuolo's Serie A match against Verona on March 3. This unfortunate injury occurred in his first game back after recovering from a meniscus injury. It is anticipated that Berardi will be out of action until next year, as he undergoes the necessary rehabilitation and recovery process.

Sven Botman (Netherlands)

The Netherlands boasts a considerable depth of talent in the centre-back position, and Sven Botman would have aspired to secure a spot in Ronald Koeman's line-up. However, his hopes were dashed when he suffered an ACL injury while playing for Newcastle against Manchester City on March 16. As a result, Botman is now facing a recovery period of 6-9 months, ruling him out of action for the Euros this summer.

Thibaut Courtois (Belgium)

Thibaut Courtois has encountered devastating misfortune, as he suffered a severe knee injury during a Real Madrid training session, leaving him in tears for the second time this season. Having previously torn the ACL in his left knee during pre-season, Courtois experienced a tear in the internal meniscus of the same knee on March 19. Following surgery, his recovery is expected to extend into the 2024-25 campaign.

Interestingly, the 31-year-old goalkeeper's prospects for Euro 2024 were already uncertain due to his fractured relationship with national team coach Domenico Tedesco. The discord between the two emerged last summer when Tedesco alleged that Courtois missed a Euro 2024 qualifier against Estonia due to his disappointment at not being appointed captain. Courtois disputed this claim on social media, using three Pinocchio emojis to imply that Tedesco was lying.

Given the strained rapport between Courtois and Tedesco, it appears highly unlikely that Courtois will be recalled to the national team as long as Tedesco remains in charge.

Gavi (Spain)

Following Gavi's unfortunate injury in a seemingly inconsequential Euro 2024 qualifier against Georgia last November, Barcelona allegedly placed the blame on Spain coach Luis de la Fuente. Gavi, who was one of the two players to retain their starting position from the previous match against Cyprus, had to be substituted after just 24 minutes due to a severe knee injury, specifically a complete tear of the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee and an associated injury to the lateral meniscus.

Despite Barcelona's frustration, De la Fuente refuted the allegations that Gavi was at risk of burnout and maintained that the young midfielder was in a fresh and fully fit condition to play. He dismissed the incident as an accident and misfortune, asserting that Gavi was perfectly prepared to take part in the match.

However, reports suggest that the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) has made the decision not to call up Gavi for international duty until next year, even though he is expected to recover in time for the start of the 2024-25 season.

Reece James (England)

Reece James expressed his optimism about his imminent return in a social media post at the end of February. However, Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino has been cautious about providing a specific timeline for the right-back's comeback, given his recurring hamstring issues. Despite this, England manager Gareth Southgate mentioned during the March international break that they hope James will have some game time before the Euros.

Southgate raised a valid concern, questioning whether James would be able to play seven games in a month due to his injury history. However, he acknowledged that James is a top-level player who could bring something crucial to the team.

With limited appearances for Chelsea this season, James now faces a race against time to convince Southgate that he is worth the risk and can contribute effectively.

Christopher Nkunku (France)

Christopher Nkunku's chances of participating in Euro 2024 are rapidly diminishing. The forward, who hasn't represented France since June of the previous year, has been plagued by fitness issues since joining Chelsea. Nkunku sustained a knee injury during pre-season, which necessitated surgery and kept him out of action for four months.

Upon his return, Nkunku displayed promising form, even scoring on his Premier League debut on Christmas Eve. However, he suffered a hip injury in January, followed by a hamstring problem the following month, further delaying his progress.

While there is a possibility that Nkunku could make his comeback in April, there is no certainty, and it now appears unlikely that the 26-year-old, who is yet to score for his country, will be able to regain his place in the French squad in time for the Euros.

Ivan Perisic (Croatia)

Ivan Perisic, the esteemed Croatia national team player, is facing an unfortunate setback in his bid to add to his impressive 129 international caps at Euro 2024. The versatile winger suffered a complex ACL injury in his right knee during non-contact training with Tottenham in September of the previous year. As a result, the club declared Perisic unfit to play for the remainder of the season.

Furthermore, Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou indicated in January that it is improbable for Perisic to feature for the club again, considering his contract is set to expire at the end of the season.

However, Perisic expressed in later statements that there is a slim possibility that he might be able to return to the field of play as early as April. While the chances are remote, the winger remains hopeful of making a comeback before the season concludes.

Paul Pogba (France)

Paul Pogba has been left "heartbroken" by his four-year ban for testing positive for a banned substance last August, which is entirely understandable. The midfielder insists that he never knowingly took performance-enhancing drugs (testosterone metabolites were found in his system), but should he fail to have the suspension overturned on appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), the midfielder will probably never play for Juventus or his country ever again.

Pogba had been struggling with a succession of injury issues as it was and missed the 2022 World Cup in Qatar after failing to recover in time from surgery. Consequently, there were already serious doubts over whether he would ever recapture the form that made him the most expensive player in football history in 2016 when he moved from Juve to Manchester United.

Luke Shaw (England)

Luke Shaw's participation in Euro 2024 is in serious jeopardy, despite joining the England squad for the March friendlies against Brazil and Belgium. The Manchester United left-back, who is also capable of playing in central defense, suffered a reoccurrence of a muscular issue during the February match against Luton. This injury had previously kept him out of action for three months earlier in the season.

Initially, it was believed that Shaw would be sidelined for the remainder of the campaign. However, reports suggest that the 28-year-old is still hopeful of recovering in time to join the England squad for the tournament in Germany. England manager Gareth Southgate will undoubtedly be eager for Shaw, who was a key performer during Euro 2020, to make a swifter-than-anticipated recovery from his latest setback. The national team currently lacks quality options at left-back.

Raheem Sterling (England)

Raheem Sterling had a strong start to the season, showing glimpses of his best form. However, England manager Gareth Southgate recently remarked that Sterling faces a challenging battle to regain his place in the national team. Despite contributing to 15 goals for Chelsea in the 2023-24 season, he is being outperformed by his teammate Cole Palmer. Moreover, Sterling has faced criticism from the Stamford Bridge crowd in recent weeks.

Considering the assured inclusion of players like Phil Foden and Bukayo Saka, as well as the impressive form of Anthony Gordon and Jarrod Bowen, it becomes easier to understand Southgate's hesitance to include Sterling in the squad. Despite being one of the standout performers at Euro 2020, Sterling may face the disappointment of being left out of the team for the upcoming tournament.

Jurrien Timber (Netherlands)

Jurrien Timber endured a devastating setback during his Premier League debut for Arsenal, sustaining an ACL injury in the victory over Nottingham Forest in August. Initially, it was feared that the season would be over for the Dutch defender. However, Timber is now on track to make his comeback following the March international break. His primary focus will be regaining full fitness and contributing to Arsenal's title challenge.

If Timber can make a significant impact upon his return, there is a possibility that he could be considered for a call-up to the Netherlands national team for the Euros. His versatility would be a valuable asset for any squad.

Sandro Tonali (Italy)

Sandro Tonali had a promising start to his Premier League career after his surprising move from AC Milan to Newcastle. However, he became embroiled in a significant betting scandal, which was the most significant since the 1980s in Italian football. Tonali was ultimately handed a 10-month ban for his involvement in illegal gambling, with the suspension beginning on October 27, 2023. As a result, he will not be able to participate in the upcoming Euros.

Tonali's ban was a huge disappointment for Italy, as he would have been in contention for a starting position in Luciano Spalletti's team. However, the most crucial aspect of this unfortunate situation is that the 23-year-old is now receiving the necessary support to overcome his gambling problem. The focus is on his well-being and getting the help he needs.

Ben White (England)

Ben White's absence from the England national team since the 2022 World Cup due to "personal reasons" appears likely to continue indefinitely. England manager Gareth Southgate attempted to include the Arsenal right-back in the squad for the March internationals against Brazil and Belgium but was informed by Arsenal's sporting director, Edu, that White did not wish to make himself available for selection.

Southgate expressed disappointment at White's decision, as he had previously been included in England's squads for both the Euros and the World Cup. Southgate and White have had discussions post-Qatar, and there are no issues between them. Southgate also clarified that there are no issues with his coach, Steve Holland, despite reports suggesting otherwise.

Southgate emphasized his desire to keep the door open for White's return to the England squad. However, with White currently unavailable, Southgate must focus on players who can contribute to the team's success.

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