- Holland has lost two players to injury before the start of Euro 2024
- Joshua Zirkzee abandoned a trip to Disneyland to join the squad
- Click here Follow Mail Sport’s Euro 2024 WhatsApp channel for the latest news and updates from Germany
Manchester United and Arsenal target Joshua Zirkzee has abandoned a trip to Disney World to play at Euro 2024 after receiving a late call-up to the Netherlands national team.
Zirkzee, 23, had a breakout season at Bologna in which he scored 12 goals in all competitions and his team finished fifth in Serie A to qualify for the Champions League for the first time in the club’s history.
But he was left out of the initial 26-man Dutch squad for this summer’s tournament in Germany, and headed to Disney World in Florida to enjoy some time off.
However, injuries to key midfielders Frenkie de Jong and Teun Koopmeiners forced Ronald Koeman to look for replacements and he turned to Zirkzee.
Zirkzee took to social media to announce the news, posting a selfie of himself smiling alongside the caption, “When you get the call to leave Disney for the Euros.”
Joshua Zirkzee (pictured) posted a smiling selfie after being called up as a late substitute for the Netherlands squad for Euro 2024.
He walked away from Disney World after abandoning a trip to the Florida resort to join his team.
Zirkzee has been called up after injuries to Frenkie de Jong (left) and Teun Koopmeiners (right)
He also posted a short clip of himself driving away from Disneyland with the message ‘Happy me pt 2’ after cutting his holiday short to join his national team.
Zirkzee was arguably a surprise omission in the first place after a standout campaign in Italy that has seen him linked with a possible move to the Premier League this summer, with United and Arsenal monitoring the young striker.
He is yet to make his senior debut for Holland, but that could change in the coming days and weeks, especially if Koeman’s men can reach the depths of the tournament.
Chelsea’s Ian Maatsen has also been called up to reinforce the team after an impressive end to the season on loan at Borussia Dortmund, where they reached the Champions League final.
He was named in Koeman’s provisional squad but was dropped at the last minute, but is now back to cover after Holland picked up a double injury.
Maatsen was on holiday in Mykonos with his girlfriend, Emely Tuinder, when he received the call, but did not hesitate to abandon his trip to represent his country.
Ian Maatsen (right) has also been called up and abandoned a holiday in Mykonos with his girlfriend, Emely Tuinder (left) to play for his country.
Zirkzee and Maatsen don’t have much time to catch up with their teammate, as the Oranje will play their first match of the tournament on Sunday afternoon against Poland.
They will then face France and Austria in their other two Group D matches, as they look to improve on their last-16 exit from the last European Championship three years ago.
