Belgium’s squad for Euro 2024 has been unveiled, with Manchester City duo Kevin De Bruyne and Jeremy Doku included, but notably absent is Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. The provisional 25-man squad, announced on Tuesday, features a strong Premier League presence but excludes the veteran keeper.
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Alongside De Bruyne and Doku, the roster includes Arsenal’s Leandro Trossard, Aston Villa’s Youri Tielemans, Everton midfielder Amadou Onana, Leicester City’s Wout Faes, and Fulham’s Timothy Castagne. In a surprising move, 35-year-old Atletico Madrid defender Axel Witsel has been recalled to the national team after previously announcing his international retirement.
Belgium’s record goalscorer, Romelu Lukaku, who has been on loan at Roma from Chelsea, also made the squad. However, Courtois, with 102 caps to his name, is missing from the lineup. The Real Madrid goalkeeper recently returned from an ACL injury that sidelined him for most of the season and is expected to play in Saturday’s Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund.
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Last month, head coach Domenico Tedesco hinted at Courtois’ exclusion, emphasizing a preference for players in top form. “I don’t want a tit-for-tat situation,” Tedesco stated, reflecting on past tensions when Courtois allegedly refused to travel with the squad after being overlooked for the captaincy.
Explaining the decision, 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.”
In Courtois’ place, Tedesco has selected Wolfsburg’s Koen Casteels, Luton Town’s Thomas Kaminski, and Nottingham Forest’s Matz Sels as the goalkeepers.
Belgium still has the option to add one more player before UEFA’s 7 June deadline. They are set to compete in Group E alongside Romania, Ukraine, and Slovakia, with their tournament opener against Slovakia scheduled for 17 June in Frankfurt.
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