Top 10 European stars set to miss Euro 2024 due to injuries or suspension

Published at :March 25, 2024 at 10:55 PM

Modified at :March 25, 2024 at 10:55 PM

Some of the top players who won’t make it to Euro 2024

As the countdown to Euro 2024 ticks away, excitement mounts among fans eager for the tournament’s kickoff in less than three months. Yet, amid the fervour, concerns loom for certain managers and players grappling with the looming deadline to regain full fitness before the competition in Germany. These individuals have endured prolonged spells on the sidelines due to injuries sustained with their respective clubs, casting doubt on their participation in the international spectacle.

While the majority of players anticipate being in optimal condition for the tournament, there remains a handful of stars who find themselves cruelly sidelined, and robbed of the opportunity to represent their nations due to injury woes. Unfortunately, Euro 2024 is no exception to this unfortunate reality. Additionally, the unavailability of certain players due to lengthy suspensions further compounds the challenges faced by teams gearing up for the prestigious event.

Below are the top ten European stars who are slated to miss out on Euro 2024 due to injuries and suspensions:

10. Sven Botman (Netherlands)

Sven Botman have been nurturing hopes of securing a spot in Ronald Koeman’s lineup before a cruel twist of fate dashed his aspirations. While representing Newcastle against Manchester City on March 16, the talented defender suffered a devastating ACL injury, sidelining him for a substantial period of 6-9 months. This unfortunate setback effectively rules him out of contention for this summer’s Euros, a tournament for which he would have been a pivotal figure for the Dutch national team. Botman’s absence will undoubtedly be felt by the Dutch squad, as his defensive prowess and leadership qualities make him a crucial asset on the pitch.

9. Sandro Tonali (Italy)

Following a promising start to his Premier League journey after his surprising move from AC Milan to Newcastle, Sandro Tonali’s trajectory took an unexpected turn amid the eruption of the most significant betting scandal to rock Italian football since the 1980s. Ultimately, the midfielder found himself embroiled in the controversy, resulting in a 10-month ban for his involvement in illicit gambling activities, with the suspension commencing on October 27, 2023. Consequently, Tonali’s suspension renders him ineligible for participation in this summer’s Euros.

The ramifications of Tonali’s suspension extend beyond the disappointment felt by Italy, as the midfielder would have been a strong contender for a starting position in Luciano Spalletti’s lineup. However, amidst the disappointment lies a more significant concern the acknowledgement that the 23-year-old is now receiving the necessary support to address his gambling addiction.

8. Luke Shaw (England)

The list of players potentially missing UEFA Euro 2024 has seen a recent addition with Luke Shaw’s injury. The English left-back had been grappling with a muscle injury earlier in the season, making a return to action only in January. However, Shaw’s hopes of maintaining his form were dashed when he sustained another muscle injury during Manchester United’s match against Luton Town. This setback places his availability for the upcoming tournament in doubt, adding to the concerns of both the player and his national team as they navigate through the final preparations for the Euros.

7. Paul Pogba (France)

Paul Pogba finds himself in a state of profound dismay following the imposition of a four-year ban resulting from a positive test for a banned substance last August a sentiment entirely understandable given the circumstances. The midfielder maintains steadfastly that he never knowingly ingested performance-enhancing drugs. However, should his efforts to overturn the suspension at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) prove futile, it’s most likely that Pogba’s aspirations of representing Juventus or his national team again will be forever shattered.

6. Ivan Perisic (Croatia)

It appears increasingly improbable that Ivan Perisic will have the opportunity to extend his remarkable record of 129 international caps at Euro 2024. The Croatian stalwart encountered a significant setback when he sustained a complex ACL injury in his right knee during non-contact training with Tottenham back in September of the previous year. Consequently, the club ruled out the versatile winger from contention for the remainder of the season.

Adding to the uncertainty surrounding Perisic’s future, manager Ange Postecoglou indicated in January that the 35-year-old is unlikely to feature for Spurs again, particularly considering his contract is set to expire at the conclusion of the season. This combination of injury and contractual circumstances casts a shadow over Perisic’s prospects of making a return to competitive action, leaving his participation in Euro 2024 hanging in the balance.

5. Christopher Nkunku (France)

Christopher Nkunku’s aspirations of securing a spot in the Euro 2024 squad are rapidly diminishing. The forward, who last represented France in June, has encountered a string of fitness setbacks since his move to Chelsea. Nkunku’s woes began during pre-season when he sustained a knee injury, necessitating surgery and sidelining him for a gruelling four-month period.

Despite a promising return to action, highlighted by a goal on his Premier League debut on Christmas Eve, Nkunku’s resurgence was short-lived. In January, he found himself sidelined once again, this time with a troubling hip complaint. The following month brought further frustration as he suffered a hamstring injury, compounding his fitness woes. These successive setbacks have cast doubt on Nkunku’s ability to regain full fitness in time for Euro 2024.

4. Reece James (England)

James has endured a tumultuous year marked by persistent injuries, culminating in a significant setback in December when he encountered yet another hamstring problem, adding to a series of similar issues.

In a bid to salvage his season, England manager Gareth Southgate expressed optimism last week regarding the right-back’s chances of making a comeback and potentially vying for a spot in the Euro 2024 squad. However, as of now, there remains no definitive timeline for his return to action.

3. Gavi (Spain)

Barcelona reportedly pointed fingers at Spain coach Luis de la Fuente for Gavi’s injury during a seemingly inconsequential Euro 2024 qualifier against Georgia in November. However, de la Fuente swiftly dismissed assertions of the teenager being susceptible to burnout, adamantly affirming that Gavi was in a state of peak freshness and fitness to take the field. “Such occurrences are unpredictable,” he contended. “It was an unfortunate accident a stroke of misfortune. Gavi was deemed perfectly fit for participation.” Gavi’s absence will undoubtedly leave a significant void in the Spanish lineup for Euro 2024.

2. David Alaba (Austria)

Out of the three Real Madrid players who suffered ACL tears this season, Alaba stands apart from his teammates Thibaut Courtois and Eder Militao. Unlike them, Alaba’s injury, incurred during a Liga match against Villarreal in December, left him with no chance of making a comeback before the season’s conclusion. With an anticipated recovery period of eight months, the versatile Austrian defender is ruled out from participating in his country’s Euro 2024 campaign.

1. Thibaut Courtois (Belgium)

Thibaut Courtois faced devastating disappointment as he anticipated his return to action after the international break, only to be overcome with tears for the second time this season. The setback came as a result of a serious knee injury sustained during a training session with Real Madrid. Courtois’ rapport with national team coach Domenico Tedesco seems irreparably fractured. Their relationship soured last summer, with Tedesco alleging that Courtois skipped the Euro 2024 qualifier against Estonia due to his dissatisfaction at not being appointed captain. Consequently, Courtois now faces slim prospects of a national team recall as long as Tedesco retains his position.

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