Euro 2024: Thibaut Courtois absence in Ukraine vs Belgium explained

Thibaut Courtois ruled out of Belgium's Euro 2024 match against Ukraine, replaced by Koen Casteels in goal. Follow live updates.

Thibaut Courtois will not be taking the field for Belgium in their upcoming Euro 2024 match against Ukraine at the Stuttgart Arena. The reason for his absence is that he did not make the 26-man squad that traveled to Germany, with Koen Casteels set to replace him in goal.

This marks the first major international tournament since Euro 2012 in which Courtois is not part of the Belgium squad. The goalkeeper has been a mainstay for Belgium in every major tournament since the 2014 FIFA World Cup. However, this season saw him sidelined during pre-season due to a torn ACL in his left knee last year.

Courtois made a return to action towards the end of the season, playing a key role in Real Madrid's UEFA Champions League final victory against Borussia Dortmund. Despite his recovery, he was not included in the Belgium squad for the tournament in Germany.

Reports suggest that Courtois' exclusion may be due to a rift between him and coach Domenico Tedesco, stemming from a disagreement over the captaincy of the national team. Courtois accused Tedesco of breaching trust, leading to his omission from the squad.

In a press conference, Belgian football association's technical director Franck Vercauteren addressed the situation, stating that they will have to move forward without Courtois. He emphasized the need to resolve any issues within the team and to respect the decisions that have been made.

While Courtois' absence may come as a disappointment to fans, the focus now shifts to the upcoming match against Ukraine and the team's performance in the tournament. The situation serves as a reminder of the complexities and challenges that can arise in the world of international football.