As the European Championship kicks off, some of the top players in Europe will be notably absent from the tournament. Let's take a look at some of the key players who won't be gracing the fields at Euro 2024:
Erling Haaland
Norway's failure to qualify for the Euros means that prolific striker Erling Haaland will not be showcasing his talents on the international stage. Despite his impressive goal-scoring record at both club and country level, Haaland's Norway fell short in the qualifiers.
Martin Odegaard
Arsenal and Norway captain Martin Odegaard will also be missing from the tournament due to Norway's absence.
Thibaut Courtois
Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois opted out of the Euros, citing ongoing tensions with Belgium coach Domenico Tedesco. This decision leaves Tedesco with alternative goalkeeping options for the tournament.
Karim Benzema
Former France striker Karim Benzema, who recently retired from international duty, will not be part of the French squad at Euro 2024. Despite his illustrious career, Benzema's absence will be felt by the team.
Marcus Rashford
Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford failed to make the cut for England's squad following a disappointing season at the club level. Rashford's omission highlights the competitive nature of the selection process.
Mats Hummels
Despite his contributions to Borussia Dortmund's Champions League campaign, defender Mats Hummels did not make the squad for host nation Germany. Coach Julian Nagelsmann opted for a different defensive pairing for the tournament.
Sandro Tonali
Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali's ban for betting on teams he played for has ruled him out of contention for Italy's squad. This absence opens up opportunities for other midfielders to step up in his place.
With these notable players missing from Euro 2024, the tournament promises to showcase new talents and strategies as teams vie for European glory.
