Some of Europe’s best teams will be missing key players when they compete for glory at Euro 2024 this summer. World-class goalkeepers, influential midfielders, and superstar strikers are among the players set to miss the tournament due to injury.
We have rounded up some of the most famous names that will be absent from the Euros and discussed how it will impact their teams’ Euro odds ahead of the tournament.
Thibaut Courtois
Belgium will head to the Euros without its first-choice goalkeeper after Thibaut Courtois suffered another long-term injury. The Real Madrid star tore the ACL in his left knee before the 2023-24 season began, but he was poised to return to action in the spring.
However, Courtois then tore the internal meniscus in his right knee on the training ground in March. He underwent surgery the following day, and he has now been ruled out of the Euros.
Understudy Matz Sels is a decent goalkeeper who currently starts for Nottingham Forest ahead of the USA’s Matt Turner. However, Sels lacks the experience and presence of Courtois, so the Belgians are underdogs for Euro 2024.
Lewis Ferguson
Scotland will be unable to call upon the services of Lewis Ferguson at the Euros. The attacking midfielder has been a revelation for Bologna this season, spearheading the team’s unlikely push for a top-four finish with a series of impressive performances.
He was set to play a key role for the Scots at Euro 2024, and he was also linked with a summer transfer to Juventus or Napoli. However, Ferguson’s dreams of representing his country at the tournament ended when he suffered a nasty ACL injury in a game against Monza on April 13. Scotland is now a underdog to win Group A, but it still has odds of to qualify for the Round of 16.
Gavi
The teenage midfielder will miss the European Championship after he suffered a torn ACL in Barcelona’s game against Valladolid. The club reportedly blamed Spain coach Luis de la Fuente for playing him in a meaningless Euro 2024 qualifier against Georgia three days prior to that match, arguing that it left Gavi burnt out.
He does not appear likely to return until the start of the 2024-25 season, so he is unavailable for the Spanish squad this summer. However, Spain has an abundance of world-class midfielders in its ranks, including Rodri, Pedri, and Martín Zubimendi. The team is still among the favorites to win the tournament, at odds of .
Domenic Berardi
Italy coach Luciano Spalletti received a major blow when versatile forward Domenico Berardi tore his Achilles tendon in March. The winger played a starring role for the Italians when they beat England in the final of the last European Championship.
He is expected to be sidelined until next year, depriving Spalletti of a vital attacking option at the Euros. Lorenzo Insigne is no longer in contention for the Italian squad, and Federico Chiesa has struggled for form and fitness since the last European Championship, so losing Berardi is unfortunate. On a brighter note, Riccardo Orsolini has been superb for Bologna this season, so he could slot into the attack in place of Berardi.
Sven Botman
The Dutch defender was ruled out of the Euros after suffering an ACL injury in a recent Premier League game. He was a contender to start for the Netherlands at this tournament, as he has been excellent for Newcastle over the past two years, so that was unwelcome news for manager Ronald Koeman.
However, the Dutch are not short of options at center-back, with Virgil Van Dijk, Nathan Aké, Matthijs de Ligt, and Stefan De Vrij all vying to start. Arsenal’s Jurrien Timber is also on the brink of a comeback after a long spell on the sidelines, which could boost the Dutch defensive options ahead of the tournament.
