Courtois Rules Out Euro Participation, Focuses on Full Recovery

 Courtois Rules Out Euro Participation, Focuses on Full Recovery

Thibaut Courtois of Real Madrid during training at Valdebebas training ground on August 06, 2023 in Madrid, Spain.(Image-Getty)

Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois suffered a serious injury in Real Madrid's practice before the start of the season last August. After the tests, it is known that he has torn the knee ligament. Then he had to go under the doctor's knife. At that time, it is known that the goalkeeper will have to stay out of the field until April next year. Courtois has been in rehabilitation ever since.

Real brought in Kepa Arrizabalaga from Chelsea on loan as an alternative to Courtois for a long time. However, although Courtois is expected to recover by April, the goalkeeper has said otherwise. Courtois also confirmed that he will not be able to play in the Euros next year due to this injury.

Courtois confirmed this news in an interview given to the Belgian newspaper Sporza on Tuesday. The goalkeeper also expressed his disappointment at not being able to play in the Euros. Courtois said, "I will not play in the Euros due to injury. First of all, I need to recover 100% and for that it would be better not to fix any return date in advance. If I'm lucky I'll be able to play the match in May. But I will never be 100% fit for a big tournament like the Euros.

Explaining why he should not play in the Euros even if given the opportunity, Courtois said, 'As long as the team has a good goalkeeper, I will not stand under the goal bar when I am 80 percent fit. I will put aside the honor of playing for the national team and support the team in June. Hopefully we can win the European title.

Courtois said he has also received well-wishing messages from other players who have suffered similar injuries, "I have received many messages from other players who have suffered the same injury. Asensio, Falcao and Mikel Oirazabal sent me messages.'

Injury problems, however, are nothing new for Courtois. The Belgian star suffered hamstring and hip injuries several times last season. That is why he could not play in the Club World Cup. He also missed several matches in the Champions League and La Liga.

Note that Euro will start from June 14 next year. Belgium will start their Euro campaign with a match against Slovakia on June 17. Group 'E' will play with Belgium and Slovakia along with Romania and the team that won from the play-offs.