Some of the best players on the continent will compete for the title of European Championship in Euro 2024, but like the rest of us, a few well-known players will have to watch from home. A Team of the Best 11 players could be created from the left-out players who won’t be representing their respective nations in Germany.
Team of Top XI Euro 2024 absences
Football boots will give way to flip-flops for the stars who won’t be participating in Euro 2024 due to injuries, missed qualification runs, and bans that will impact the careers of numerous players.
And even though England and their all-star team have been tipped to win the event, the Three Lions may have a fight on their hands with this starting lineup of Euro 2024 absences.
1. Thibaut Courtois
Thibaut Courtois amazingly overcame both injuries to make his first appearance for Real Madrid this month. He had previously torn the meniscus in his other knee upon returning to training in March, and he had torn the ACL in his left knee on the eve of the season.
Domenico Tedesco, however, has stated that Courtois will not be in his squad for the tournament despite his return to the pitch. Courtois essentially called the Belgium manager a liar on social media when he said that the custodian had skipped a Euro 2024 qualifier because he was angry about not being named captain.
2. David Alaba
The star player from Austria injured his ACL while playing for Real Madrid in December, and although he is making every effort to recuperate, it appears like Euro 2024 may arrive too soon.
Ralf Rangnick’s team, who will be competing in just their fourth-ever European Championship this summer, will suffer a severe blow in Alaba’s absence.
3. Stefan Savic
Savic is still a valuable player for Atletico Madrid under Diego Simeone, but he is even more so for Montenegro, where he has won 73 caps since making his debut in 2010.
Savic, who briefly played football for Manchester City in the 2011–12 season, will not be participating in the 2024 European Cup since Montenegro finished third in Group G, behind Serbia and Hungary.
4. Victor Lindelof
In a somewhat disappointing Group F qualifying campaign, Sweden came in third place behind Belgium and Austria.
Due to his contract expiring at Old Trafford next season, Lindelof will not be able to add to his three major tournament wins for Sweden. However, this could present an ideal opportunity to resolve his future with Manchester United.
5. Conor Bradley
Since filling in for the injured Trent Alexander-Arnold earlier in the season, Bradley has had a breakout season with Liverpool.
Unfortunately, though, Bradley’s budding skill won’t be on display at Euro 2024 because only San Marino qualified lower than Northern Ireland.
6. Sandro Tonali
The Italian Football Federation punished Tonali with a 10-month suspension in October of last year for breaking betting regulations. This put an end to the Newcastle midfielder’s hopes of representing the Azzurri at Euro 2024.
The 24-year-old has won 15 caps for Italy but was not included in the team that won Euro 2020 three years ago. He has since been handed a further suspended two-month ban for betting and will be back in action in August.
7. Gavi
One of Europe’s most promising young players has been sidelined for Euro 2024 due to injury; the Barcelona star tore his ACL completely during Spain’s victory over Georgia in November.
Even though Spain won and qualified, manager Luis de la Fuente compared the post-match atmosphere in the changing room to a “funeral parlour” and said that Gavi’s injury was the “hardest moment I have experienced in football.”
8. Martin Odegaard
Although Odegaard’s teammates at Arsenal will be happy that he can relax this summer, the midfield wizard himself won’t be, since he will be missing out on yet another important competition for Norway.
Given the wealth of potential in the Norwegian ranks, Odegaard’s wait won’t be too lengthy. Norway hasn’t played in the World Cup or the Euros yet; they last participated in a big tournament at Euro 2000.
9. Alexander Isak
Football fans who have witnessed Isak’s incredible performances for Newcastle this season are truly disappointed by his absence. Isak will not be able to add to his 44 caps and 10 goals for Sweden at Euro 2024.
Considering how many teams are apparently interested in signing the 24-year-old, Isak may have a quiet summer on the pitch but a hectic season off it.
10. Dejan Kulusevski
Since Kulusevski of Spurs will be absent from international duty during the summer, he is yet another victim of Sweden’s inability to qualify for Euro 2024.
Kulusevski is incredibly talented, but in his 37 caps since his debut in 2019, he has only scored three goals.
11. Erling Haaland
Defenders will be relieved that they won’t have to play Haaland in Germany, as the star striker from Manchester City is the biggest name that will not be competing at Euro 2024.
His quest to play in a major international competition will now last at least two more years after his five goals in six qualifying games were insufficient to secure Norway’s place in the tournament.
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