Real Madrid’s midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni will miss the Champions League final due to a foot injury and is also doubtful for the upcoming European Championship, according to LaLiga champions’ manager Carlo Ancelotti. Tchouameni, 24, has made 38 appearances across all competitions for Real Madrid this season. He suffered a stress fracture in his foot during their Champions League semi-final victory over Bayern Munich earlier this month and has not played since.
Real Madrid is set to face Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League final at Wembley on June 1. “He’s doing individual work but he’s not ready for the final,” Ancelotti confirmed during a press conference ahead of their final LaLiga game against Real Betis on Saturday. “Let’s see if he’s ready for the Euros.”
France coach Didier Deschamps had included Tchouameni in his 25-man squad for the European Championship, which kicks off on June 14 in Germany.
With the LaLiga title secured weeks ago, Real Madrid’s final home game of the season will be an opportunity for the club and fans to pay tribute to veteran midfielder Toni Kroos, who is retiring after Euro 2024. The 34-year-old German has been a key player for Real Madrid, winning the Champions League four times with the club. Kroos could potentially become only the second player, after Real Madrid legend Paco Gento, to win six European crowns, having also won the title once with Bayern Munich.
Ancelotti spoke highly of Kroos’ decision to retire, saying, “I don’t think it was a difficult decision for him. Veteran players, legends, have to choose their destiny. Toni has made that decision and it must be respected. We have to say goodbye to him as best we can. I respect his decision. Saying goodbye like this would be ideal. Then you have to have the courage to do it, and I have a lot of respect for what he has done.”
Replacing a player of Kroos’ caliber will be challenging, but Ancelotti expressed confidence in the squad’s young talent to step up and continue the legacy set over the past decade.
