Injury forces Thomas Meunier to withdraw from Belgium squad

Thomas Meunier has become the latest Borussia Dortmund player to withdraw from international duty after pulling out of the Belgium squad due to injury.

The Belgium national team announced on Monday evening that Thomas Meunier has left the squad and will not be taking part in the UEFA Nations League finals. He will now return to Dortmund and continue his recovery there.

Meunier had to be subbed off in Borussia Dortmund’s 2-1 win over FC Augsburg on Saturday. And Marco Rose confirmed after the game that the right-back has been struggling with a knee injury and a swollen toe.

"“Thomas has had an open wound on his knee for two or three games, and you have to be careful that it doesn’t get infected,” Rose said. “He also has a swollen toe, which we had to treat again and again during the week.”"

Despite his injury, Thomas Meunier still traveled to Belgium’s training camp only to return home after a medical examination.

Meunier’s Borussia Dortmund teammates Axel Witsel and Thorgan Hazard are still in the Belgium squad for this week’s UEFA Nations League finals. The Red Devils will take on France in the semi-finals on Thursday. And if they manage to win, they will go up against Italy or Spain in the final on Sunday.

Meunier has established himself as an important player for Borussia Dortmund this season. His performances at right-back have seen him earn rave reviews from fans and Marco Rose alike. So the hope will be that he can recover from his knocks in time for Dortmund’s next Bundesliga game (against Mainz 05 on October 16).

The Black and Yellows have seven games coming up over a 22-day period after the international break. And Meunier will likely start in the majority of those games if fit.