Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois won't be able to play at the European Championship next year because of the long-term knee injury that has sidelined him since the start of the season, he said on Tuesday.
His absence could last even longer, though, amid ongoing tensions between Courtois and national team coach Domenico Tedesco.
Courtois said in an interview with Belgian broadcaster Sporza that he will not recover from surgery to repair the torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in time for him to play at the tournament.
The Euros will be hosted by Germany from June 14-July 14.
Belgium will be playing in Group E alongside Romania, Slovakia and a playoff winner still to be determined.
Courtois has 102 caps for Belgium but has not played for his country since a 1-1 draw against Austria in June.
After that game, he abruptly left Belgium’s training camp ahead of an other European Championship qualifier against Estonia and was accused by Tedesco of faking an injury.