Denmark fans were left stunned after struggling Manchester United star Christian Eriksen was named in their Euro 2024 squad.
His inclusion comes at the expense of in-form Celtic midfielder Matt O’Riley, with many supporters furious at his omission.
On Thursday, Kasper Hjulmand named his final 26-man squad for the upcoming tournament in Germany, with Denmark set to take on England in the group stage.
On the surface, it is perhaps not surprising to see Eriksen included given his status as one of his country’s greatest ever players, with only captain Simon Kjær and the legendary Peter Schmeichel winning more than his 128 caps.
He also has 40 goals, far more than anyone else in the current squad and fifth on the all-time list.
And of course it was at the last Euros three years ago that Eriksen suffered a cardiac arrest during Denmark’s opening game, so it will be an emotional occasion to see him at this summer’s tournament.
Nevertheless, the 32-year-old has endured a difficult season with his club, recording just one goal and two assists in 28 appearances, with only half of those being starts, though United did win the FA Cup.
By contrast, O’Riley has bagged 19 goals and 18 assists in 49 games to help Celtic win a domestic treble, and was even linked with a transfer to European giants Atletico Madrid in January.
Though the 23-year-old lacks international experience having won just two caps to date, he was surely worthy of inclusion, especially given that he still has the chance to change his international allegiance to England or Norway.
Supporters were certainly outraged over the snub with Anton Patrick posting on Twitter: ‘To say the Danish fans aren’t happy about O’Rileys exclusion would be an understatement. To pick Eriksen over him is absolutely bonkers!’
‘Surely O’Riley is worth having instead of say Eriksen or Hojbjerg? Have those two even played 15 games combined this season?’ Joe McAuley wrote, while @whuriley added: ‘Eriksen, Damsgaard, Delaney all getting call ups but NO O’Riley, that’s genuinely ridiculous.’
‘Denmark head coach on acid apparently. Eriksen, Delaney, Hojbjerg over O’Riley is absolutely ludicrous,’ @Calshyy said, with Ryan Smith concurring: ‘Christian Eriksen and no O’Riley, sniffing glue much?’
Another supported added: ‘What a shame to leave out the most in-form player in O’Riley this season! The man is moving to a huge club this summer.’
