At the start of the 2023/2024 season, Courtois tore his cruciate ligaments. Then, in March, while he was in the final stages of his recovery, the 31-year-old goalkeeper ruptured his meniscus.
The 2024 European Championship will be held in Germany. The tournament will run from 14 June to 14 July. The teams that finish first and second in the group stage, as well as the four best third-placed teams, will qualify for the round of XNUMX. The round of XNUMX of the tournament will be played in a knockout format.
The Belgian national team will begin its Euro 2024 campaign in Group E, facing Slovakia, Romania and Ukraine.
The Belgian team will be looking to bounce back from a disappointing performance at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Roberto Martinez's side were eliminated in the group stage, failing to advance past a group that included Croatia, Morocco and Canada. It was a surprising early exit for a team that was considered one of the favourites to win the tournament.
The Red Devils will be buoyed, however, by the return of Thibaut Courtois, who should be fit and ready to play by the start of the Euros. The Real Madrid goalkeeper is undoubtedly one of the best in the world when healthy, and his presence will be crucial if Belgium hope to mount a serious European title race.
Courtois' injury problems have been a major concern for the Belgian national team in recent years. He missed several key matches during the World Cup qualifying campaign, and his absence was sorely felt as the team struggled to find consistency. With the Euros on the horizon, the focus will be on Courtois' full recovery and his ability to anchor the Belgian defence.
Alongside Courtois, Belgium will be looking to the likes of Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku and Eden Hazard to provide the attacking spark. De Bruyne, in particular, will be looking to continue his form at the World Cup, where he was one of the standout performers despite Belgium's early exit.
The competition in Group E will be tough, with Slovakia, Romania and Ukraine all capable of causing problems. Slovakia qualified for the last Euro in 2020, while Romania and Ukraine have both shown flashes of quality in recent years. Belgium will need to be at their best to get through the group stage and secure a place in the round of XNUMX.
Ultimately, the 2024 European Championship represents a chance for Belgium to redeem themselves after the disappointment of the 2022 World Cup. With a fit Courtois in defence and a star-studded attack, the Red Devils will hope to finally lift the elusive international trophy that has eluded them for so long.
