This year’s European Championship remains a dazzling showcase of talent, filled with global superstars lighting up the stage. Yet alongside those selected, there are notable absences that have left fans stunned. BD Cricket highlights two particularly regretful omissions—Borussia Dortmund’s veteran defender Mats Hummels and Real Madrid’s world-class goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. Everyone has a past, even if it’s imperfect, but the journey forward must honor the path behind.
Some players were sidelined due to injury, like Spain’s Golden Boy winner Gavi, who tore his ACL last year and hasn’t played since. His absence not only weakened Spain’s midfield but also played a role in Barcelona coach Xavi’s eventual resignation. France’s Lucas Hernández, who ruptured his ACL in the Champions League semifinals, joins a long list of injured absentees, including Germany’s Serge Gnabry, Italy’s veteran Francesco Acerbi, Portugal’s Raphaël Guerreiro, and Austria captain David Alaba of Real Madrid.
Still, BD Cricket believes Hummels’ exclusion was the most surprising, especially considering his stellar season. At 35, he featured in 40 matches for Dortmund, starting 35 of them and even contributing 4 goals and 1 assist—impressive for a central defender. In the Champions League, his defensive prowess played a crucial role in Dortmund’s path to the final, where he consistently blocked key attacks and served as the team’s first line of resistance. Once a pillar of Germany’s defense, his omission raised eyebrows not just among Dortmund supporters, but fans across the country.
Germany’s final 26-man squad also reflected increasing diversity, with a number of African-heritage players taking central roles. While not quite to France’s level of full multicultural dominance, these players are becoming vital pillars of the German setup. The attacking line is led by Bayern Munich duo Jamal Musiala and Leroy Sané. Musiala, now wearing the prestigious No. 10 shirt, dazzles with his technique and match-reading skills—drawing comparisons to Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham, though missing the Champions League title. Sané continues to threaten on the wings with his speed and dribbling.
Antonio Rüdiger, who also lifted the Champions League with Real Madrid, steps in as Germany’s defensive leader in Hummels’ absence. Both were named among the Champions League’s top center-backs this season, but Hummels’ exclusion clears the path for Rüdiger to command the backline. Impressively, Rüdiger remained injury-free throughout Madrid’s campaign despite a heavily depleted squad, and his mental resilience is now seen as vital to the team’s Euro 2024 ambitions.
As for Courtois, his absence wasn’t due to age or fitness—he returned from injury just in time for the Champions League final, where he delivered a phenomenal performance, thwarting Dortmund time and again. However, his falling out with Belgium coach Domenico Tedesco proved costly. Courtois famously left the team last year after not being named captain in a match against Austria, returning to Madrid in protest and openly criticizing internal team dynamics.
BD Cricket reports that many believe Tedesco could have shown more leniency. Unlike Germany, who have top-tier defenders like Rüdiger to fall back on, Belgium’s goalkeeping options—Matz Sels from Nottingham Forest, Koen Casteels from Wolfsburg, and Thomas Kaminski from Luton Town—lack Courtois’ caliber. Without their best keeper, Belgium’s path in this tournament looks uncertain. And as the saying goes, if you see shadows ahead, don’t fear—it means the light is behind you. For Belgium, internal drama may cast a long shadow over their Euro 2024 campaign.