Belgium announces Euro 2024 squad with big star OUT as fans say ‘golden generation turned bronze’

THIBAUT COURTOIS was left out of Belgium’s Euro 2024 squad as fans claimed their “golden generation turned bronze”.

The 32-year-old Real Madrid goalkeeper has won 102 caps for his country.

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But he won’t add to that total this summer in Germany as he was the big name omitted from the squad.

Courtois missed almost the entire season with a knee ligament injury.

He then needed another knee operation in March when he suffered a setback, but returned to play four games earlier this month for LaLiga champions Madrid.

Courtois cast doubt on his future in Belgium after brand manager Domenico Tedesco was untruthful.

He and his international coach were at loggerheads after he was stripped of the captaincy for games against Austria and Estonia last June following the retirement of Eden Hazard.

Courtois surprisingly accused both the Belgian Football Association and Tedesco of not appreciating him.

Then there was more controversy last month when Courtois Tedesco claimed he had done everything in his power to ensure Courtois returned to play for the Red Devils.

But the former Chelsea player took public offense to that claim, responding to a post of his comments with three Pinocchio emojis.

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Courtois made his debut for Belgium in 2011, aged 19, and went on to play a further 101 games for his country.

But he had confirmed in December that he would not be able to represent his country in Germany.

Meanwhile, the likes of Manchester City’s Kevin de Bruyne and Jeremy Doku are in attendance, along with former Premier League striker Romelu Lukaku and Arsenal winger Leandro Trossard.

But the Courtois news wasn’t the only shock, as Tedesco announced his 25-man squad.

Belgium also called up Axel Witsel – despite the 35-year-old announcing his international retirement last year.

Tedesco personally visited the Atletico Madrid defender to try to convince him to return, and his words worked.

Witsel made the last of his 130 appearances at the World Cup in Qatar, where Belgium were eliminated in the group stage.

Meanwhile, the country’s most capped player, Jan Vertonghen, was also named at the age of 36.

However, another notable absence is Fenerbahçe’s Michy Batshuayi.

The 30-year-old former Chelsea and Crystal Palace striker scored 27 goals in 55 international appearances.

Belgium have underperformed and failed to win any titles in the last decade, after having a team that many dubbed the ‘Golden Generation’.

And upon seeing the announcement of the squad for this upcoming tournament, a fan commented: “Golden generation turned bronze…”

Another said: “They’re not watching the quarter-finals.”

“Belgium are down,” said a third before a fourth added: “They are perfect for group stage elimination. It’s only a matter of time.”

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