Injury ruined Thibaut Courtois’ season, while Martin Odegaard and Norway failed to qualify… but which £53m Chelsea flop starts in attack in Mail Sport’s XI of players NOT going to Euro 2024?
While the continent’s eyes are on Euro 2024, not all the best players will be in Germany in June and July.
Some were unlucky enough to fall short in the qualification process for the European Championships, or suffered injuries during the season, meaning this summer will be too early to be included in their national team squad.
Others are perfectly fit but have been rejected by their bosses – a particular blow for certain players, with the European Championship and the chance to shine on the international stage being a highlight of many footballers’ careers.
However the heartache has unfolded, many European players will not be on the podium at Euro 2024 – and with training and friendlies ahead of the paring down of preliminary squads, even more top names could miss out.
This is Mail Sport’s XI of top quality players who will certainly miss this summer’s tournament.
Some of Europe’s best-known players, including Martin Odegaard, will miss Euro 2024
Some are injured, others didn’t qualify and Marcus Rashford was one of many to drop out
Goalkeeper: Thibaut Courtois
The Real Madrid goalkeeper has been plagued by injuries this season. He suffered a torn ACL early in the season before tearing his meniscus.
But it was still a surprise to many that he was not present for Domenico Tedesco’s Belgian team during this summer’s big tournament.
Courtois has 103 Belgian caps to his name, but the 32-year-old will not add to that in Germany, with Koen Casteels, Thomas Kaminski and Matz Sels chosen instead.
Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois was left out of the selection for the summer tournament
Austrian captain David Alaba tore his cruciate ligament playing for Real Madrid and will not participate
Defenders: Pedro Porro, Mats Hummels, David Alaba
Tottenham star Pedro Porro was once again rejected by Spanish manager Luis de la Fuente and was not included in their provisional squad for the European Championship, despite scoring eleven goals in 37 games in all competitions.
Mats Hummels was absent from Julian Nagelsmann’s Germany squad when this was announced earlier this month, despite being an integral part of Borussia Dortmund’s epic run to the Champions League final.
Austrian David Alaba suffered a torn cruciate ligament in a league match against Real Madrid in December, meaning he will be handed the captaincy of his national team as his compatriots look to beat France, the Netherlands and Poland in Group D.
Midfielders: Michael Olise, Martin Odegaard, Gavi, Marcus Rashford
France, one of the early favorites for Euro 2024, having been Europe’s most successful side at the World Cup just 18 months ago, could not find a place for Crystal Palace’s Michael Olise despite his Premier League form. England in the future as he has no senior caps yet.
Arsenal’s Martin Odegaard could not help Norway qualify for the tournament as Spain and Scotland emerged from their group.
Young talent Gavi was expected to be one of the standouts at the European Championships, but the 19-year-old will have to wait for another time after suffering a serious knee injury during Spain’s qualifying win against Georgia in November.
And Marcus Rashford was one of several experienced names left out of Gareth Southgate’s England plans this summer.
Michael Olise has represented France at youth level but has yet to receive a senior call-up
Gavi will have to wait for his European Championship shot after suffering an ACL problem
Forwards: Christopher Nkunku, Viktor Gyokeres, Erling Haaland
Chelsea’s Christopher Nkunku has made 10 appearances for France since making his debut in 2022, but he has not played there for almost a year and was absent from the national team squad announced earlier in May.
Sweden will miss their first European Championships since 1996, which is hugely unfortunate for in-form Sporting Lisbon striker Victor Gyokeres, who will have to watch events in Germany from afar.
It’s a similar story for Erling Haaland, who sits out along with his international compatriot (and Premier League rival) Odegaard after Norway failed to qualify.
Christopher Nkunku was not part of the France squad for the 2024 European Championship
Erling Haaland’s Norway failed to qualify, finishing behind Spain and Scotland in their group
Rounding out the team
There are plenty of other names that could be used to fill out the 26 fields of a conventional Euro 2024 squad.
In addition to Rashford, England left out a number of stalwarts from previous England squads, including Jordan Henderson, Dominic Solanke, Reece James, Ben Chilwell, Raheem Sterling and Levi Colwill, while Ben White continues to be left out of their plans.
Spaniards Pau Torres and Lucas Vazquez also missed De la Fuente’s squad, while Euro 2020 winners Italy had numerous omissions of their own, including Tottenham’s Destiny Udogie, midfield maestro Manuel Locatelli, Ciro Immobile, Davide Zappacosta and Moise Kean.
And with two and a half weeks to go before selections are finalized and Germany v Scotland action gets underway, there could be further changes to availability.