Injury could rob Euro 2024 of a number of stars (Picture: Getty)
Representing your country at a major tournament is one of the biggest privileges of any professional football player.
But for some of the continent’s biggest stars their Euro 2024 dream could soon turn into a nightmare, with injury threatening their participation in next summer’s showpiece, which kicks-off in Germany on June 14.
England will start Euro 2024 as one of the favourites but manager Gareth Southgate will be desperate for a clean bill of health between now and the start of the tournament.
Injury to key players such as Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham or Bukayo Saka could prove devastating to England’s hopes of winning their first major trophy since 1966.
So, as national team managers sweat on the fitness of their star men across the second half of their grueling domestic seasons, Metro.co.uk takes a look at the players who are in danger of missing out on a spot in the tournament.
Tyrone Mings
Mings picked up a ‘significant’ knee injury during Aston Villa’s opening day 5-1 defeat to Newcastle.
Mings has been on the sidelines since the opening day of this season (Picture: Getty)
The injury occurred in the first period when Mings fell awkwardly whilst battling for the ball with Newcastle forward Alexander Isak.
Mings, who was stretched off to a standing ovation, ruptured his ACL which will keep him out for the rest of Villa’s campaign and almost certainly end his Euro 2024 hopes.
Since undergoing surgery, Mings has kept fans up-to-date with his lengthy rehabilitation process on social media and he has thanked them for their ongoing support.
Speaking about the dark early days of his recovery, the 30 year-old said on Instagram: ‘The cards, gifts in the post, tweets, everything has been so appreciated and helped me through this early stage.’
Mings added: ‘The first couple of weeks after surgery were up and down. I was in and out of hospital a couple of times as I was ill.
‘I think one of the things that people don’t always take into consideration is the lack of independence being on crutches as someone who is used to being very active, having to rely on people is obviously a tough situation to be in.’
The centre back featured three times for England at Euro 2020 but has struggled to hold down a regular spot in Southgate’s squad since.
Gavi
Spain’s 19 year-old sensation picked up a knee injury during the victory over Georgia in November, which is expected to keep him out for the remainder of the season as well as Euro 2024.
Gavi’s absence will be felt by Barcelona and Spain (Picture: Getty)
Barcelona confirmed Gavi had suffered ‘a complete tear of the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee’ and he has since undergone successful surgery.
The injury was sustained as the midfielder twisted in an attempt to control the ball midway through the first half, having been floored by a Luka Lochoshvil challenge just minutes earlier.
Spain boss Luis de la Fuente could not hide his anguish at the injury sustained by the starlet, describing the qualification which was secured with that win as ‘the bitterest of my life.’
de la Fuente added: ‘The dressing room is like a funeral parlour. It was an accident, it could have happened to anyone.
‘This is the hardest moment I have experienced in football. We think we’re invulnerable but we’re fragile.’
Ivan Perisic
The hugely experienced Croatian has also fallen victim to an ACL injury this season, which will see him likely sit out the rest of Tottenham’s campaign.
Perisic could have already played in his final major tournament (Picture: Getty)
Perisic sustained the injury in training in September and Tottenham have confirmed the winger has undergone surgery on the ‘complex’ injury to his knee.
The 34 year-old has made six appearances for Spurs this season and his final contribution for the team was to provide an assist as a substitute during the club’s thrilling 2-1 comeback victory against Sheffield United in the Premier League on September 16.
Discussing Perisic’s absence, Ange Postecoglou said: ‘Disappointed for him because, and I’ve only worked with him a short time, but you can see why he’s played at some of the world’s biggest clubs in the world and why he’s maintained such a level of performance for so many years.
‘He’s the ultimate pro in the way that he trains and presents himself.
‘And it’s disappointing for us because he’s been a really important part of what we’ve done so far. We don’t have a great experience in the group and he’s one that does have that level head and he’s been pretty significant in our games so far and in big moments.’
Perisic, who has 129 caps for Croatia, helped his country to a runners-up spot at the World Cup in 2018.
David Alaba
The Real Madrid star is expected to miss the European Championships with his own ACL injury.
Austria will be desperate to have Alaba available (Picture: Getty)
The Austrian went down clutching his left knee during Real’s 4-1 victory over Villarreal on December 17, with Los Blancos confirming Alaba is set to undergo surgery in the coming days.
Alaba’s left knee seemingly buckled during an attempt to steal the ball during a duel near the centre circle, immediately collapsing to the floor before he was helped off by the club’s medical staff.
If Alaba does indeed miss Euro 2024, it will represent a huge blow to Ralf Rangnick’s men who qualified for the tournament courtesy of a runners-up spot in Group F.
Alaba has won 105 caps for Austria since his debut in 2009, and represented his country at the Euros in 2016 and 2021.
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Football can be cruel at times…