'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Euro 2021 is one of the most anticipated football tournaments of the year. The competition was postponed last year on account of COVID-19 but is all set to take place this summer with all the groups and schedule decided.
Like every year, a frenetic club-level schedule has taken its toll on the players' fitness and some stars have suffered long-term injuries while in the line of duty.
5 players who might not feature in Euro 2021 due to injuries
Though injuries are a natural part of the game, the timing could be unfortunate sometimes, as players end up missing out on key fixtures and tournaments.
On that note, let's take a look at the five players who could miss EURO 2021 on account of injuries.
#5 Marko Rog (Croatia)
Croatia will be without the services of influential midfielder Marko Rog for the continental competition. They take on England, Scotland and the Czech Republic in Group D. They should manage to get past the group stage even in the absence of the former Sevilla player.
Rog ruptured his ACL while on club duty with Cagliari in December. He underwent an operation on his knee and it has been confirmed that the player is out for the rest of the season.
Though the midfielder did not score or assist any goals for the club this term, he has been solid at the heart of the midfield and averaged 3 tackles per game in the Serie A. The Kockasti will miss his defensive attributes at the finals, but they have enough talent in their squad to pick a replacement for the player.
#4 Julian Baumgartlinger (Austria)
Austria could be without the services of their captain Julian Baumgartlinger at EURO 2021. Though it was initially thought that the midfielder has ruptured his ACL, kicker reported that his injury was related to the joint near the knee.
While not suffering from an ACL injury is a piece of good news which has cut short his recovery time significantly, he is not expected back in training until May. The player will be monitored further and if the nature of the injury is serious, the return date could be pushed back further.
He had been a key player for Bayer Leverkusen in their quest for top-four spot this term. Even if he is back in training by May, it needs to be seen whether the player could be forced back into action by June, when the EUROs kick-off and if he makes into the final squad.
Also See: The 10 highest-paid goalkeepers in the world
#3 Joe Gomez (England)
Joe Gomez suffered a serious knee injury in November, which has seemingly ruled him out for the rest of the season. The 23-year-old central defender has gradually cemented his place in the Liverpool and England starting XIs over the last two years and his absence has been clearly felt by the former while the latter will also be light in the defensive department if he does not recover in time.
Gomez ruptured his ACL while on international duty with The Three Lions in November and is yet to resume even light training. Liverpool boss spoke at a press conference recently and gave an update on his status. He said:
“Joe Gomez is actually in a pretty good place, but far away from being back, so he walks round, looks completely normal, is not yet out on the pitch running, or even out of the gym. It’s just a really tough injury as well."
“Will he be available this season? When does the season end, May? It will be close at least I would say. I don’t expect ... well, I would be positive surprised if he would be back this season, to be honest.”
# Axel Witsel (Belgium)
One of the latest players to be added on the casualty list for EURO 2021 is Belgium midfielder Axel Witsel. The 32-year-old suffered a tear in his Achilles tendon and is yet to be given a return date.
With 110 caps for the national side, he is one of the senior-most players in their ranks and his absence would be a huge blow to their preparations for the continental tournament.
Belgium coach Roberto Martínez expressed his concern on the injury and subsequent surgery, which will keep Witsel out of action anywhere between four to seven months. He said:
“Injuries are part of football but it is really sad it is such a serious injury."
“We will wait until the very last second to try and pick Axel for our European Championship squad. Axel always has a huge impact on and off the field on the group. With his 110 caps, he is important. I’m therefore not ruling him out of the European Championship.”
#1 Virgil Van Dijk (Netherlands)
One of the biggest names who could miss EURO 2021 is Liverpool and Netherlands defender Virgil Van Dijk. The Dutchman has been sidelined since October with an ACL injury.
He has continued his recoveries with light gym sessions and though DailyStar has claimed that the player will be back by April, after a serious injury like ACL, it is expected that the player will be eased into the starting XI.
The Reds star is currently one of the best players in his position in the world and when fit, proves to be a game-changer. Hopefully, we should be able to see him back in action by June, but as things stand, he could miss the EURO 2021 due to injury.
Also See: Top 5 Premier League players with most assists in a single season
