BIG NAMES WHO’VE MISSED THE BUS TO RUSSIA
As is always the case with such major events, the 2018 World Cup will be without some of the star attractions, writes
National teams get to take 23 players to the World Cup. That’s all. And that strict limit means that every four years, many good ones are left out. The reasons can vary: a player can be out of favour, out of form or simply out with an injury. This year, as usual, some of the omissions have been more surprising and controversial than others.
Here are six players who are healthy and ready to go but won’t be joining their teams in Russia, to the consternation of some of their country’s fans. 1. MARIO GOETZE (GERMANY) Who is he? — A 25-year-old from Borussia Dortmund who scored the winning goal against Argentina in the World Cup final four years ago.
Why is he missing out? — Goetze battled myopathy, a muscle illness, last season, missing a lot of time. But the injury was only the final setback in a career that seemed to go awry after his great moment in Brazil.
What are they saying? — “It wasn’t his season,” Germany coach Joachim Loew said. “He did not show what his qualities are. He just did not have the form.”
What is he saying? — “Of course I’m sad that I’m not attending the World Cup.”
Who will play his role? — Germany are so deep they can run out any number of players in Goetze’s position and not miss a beat.
Honorable mention omissions — Andre Schuerrle of Dortmund, the man who assisted on that World Cup winning goal, is out, as is Emre Can of Liverpool. 2. ALVARO MORATA (SPAIN) Who is he? — A 25-year-old striker for Chelsea, who had 11 Premier League goals this season after being acquired for US$75 million.
Why is he missing out? — After a good start at Chelsea, Morata’s form slipped noticeably in the new year.
What are they saying? — “Including four players up front was not something we wanted to do,” Spain coach Julen Lopetegui said. “We have opted for three other players who had different assets.”
What is he saying? — “A lot of luck in the World Cup. From now on I will be supporting and encouraging until the end as always.”
Who will play his role? — Diego Costa, a former Chelsea striker now with Atletico Madrid, is available up front, as are Iago Aspas of Celta Vigo and Rodrigo of Valencia.
Honorable mention omissions — Cesc Fabregas and Marcos Alonso of Chelsea and Sergi Roberto of Barcelona. 3. RADJA NAINGGOLAN (BELGIUM) Who is he? — A 30-year-old midfielder at Roma, the club he helped guide to the Champions League semi-finals before losing to Liverpool. Nainggolan is also known for his blond mohawk and copious tattoos.
Why is he missing out? — Perhaps because of the controversy he sometimes sows. He has sounded off about previous omissions and has been faulted for smoking and drinking.
What are they saying? — “Radja Nainggolan is a top player; the reason is tactical,” Belgium coach Roberto Martinez said. “In the past two years the team has worked in a specific manner. Other players had those roles. We know Radja has a very important role in his club and we cannot give him that role in our squad.”
What is he saying? — “Very reluctantly my international career comes to an end,” he said on Instagram. “I’ve always done everything I could to represent my country. Being yourself can be bothering. From this day on I will be the first fan.”
Who will play his role? — Youri Tielmans of Monaco and Axel Witsel of Tianjin Quanjian are candidates. 4. ANTHONY MARTIAL (FRANCE) Who is he? — A 22-year-old forward for Manchester United.
Why is he missing out? — He slipped out of the pecking order at United after Alexis Sanchez was signed in January and struggled to force his way back onto the field.
What are they saying? — “They were good against Germany, but that was only one match; that aside, they were a bit less,” France coach Didier Deschamps said of Martial and Alexandre Lacazette of Arsenal, who also was left off the World Cup roster.
Who will play his role? — Antoine Griezmann was always going to be France’s first choice.
Honorable mention omissions — Lacazette and midfielder Dimitri Payet of Olympique Marseille, who injured his thigh in the Europa League final last week.
5. RENATO SANCHES (PORTUGAL) Who is he? — A 20-year-old midfielder who at 18 played a big role in his country’s European Championship two years ago, winning young player of the tournament award.
Why is he missing out? — Sanches has not played especially well at Bayern Munich or on loan at Swansea City this past season. He drew attention for an incident in which he seemed to pass the ball directly to an advertising board.
What are they saying? — “It hurts not to be able to include all the players who were with us in the European Championship,” Portugal coach Fernando Santos said. “All of them helped us write a brilliant page in the history of Portuguese football.”
Who will play his role? — Possible midfielders in the final squad include Bruno Fernandes and William Carvalho of Sporting Lisbon and Joao Moutinho of Monaco. All are seen as clearly superior to Sanches at the moment. 6. JOE HART (ENGLAND) Who is he? — A 31-year-old goalkeeper with Manchester City. He was the starter for England for their last three international tournaments, including the 2014 World Cup. He started nine of England’s 10 World Cup qualifying matches.
Why is he missing out? — Hart lost his job at City, was loaned to West Ham, then at the end of the season was benched there as well.
What are they saying? — “In Joe’s case, he’s been England No.1 with 75 caps. I don’t think it would be respectful to say to him, ‘Would you go on standby?’” England manager Gareth Southgate said.
What is he saying? — “Not going to lie, I’m gutted,” Hart said on Instagram. “I know what I bring to the team, but it is what it is.”
Who will play his role? — Jack Butland of Stoke started the final England qualifier. Jordan Pickford of Everton is also a candidate to start.
Honorable mention omission — Jack Wilshere, the Arsenal midfielder who has struggled with injuries off and on for years.