Dubai: With just two days to go until the 2018 World Cup kick off in Russia, we run through the biggest names to be omitted from their national team’s final 23-man squads.
While it represents a low point in the careers of those left out, it could also indicate the quality their team already has if they are able to overlook such quality. For instance if France can afford to drop Benzema, Martial and Lacazette and Spain don’t need Morata, Alonso and Fabregas, then just imagine how good those teams be? Is it an ominous sign of strength in depth from these countries or a costly mistake to leave these players behind? Only time will tell.
Karim Benzema - France
The Real Madrid striker hasn’t played for France since late 2015 after being investigated by police in relation to an alleged attempt to blackmail international teammate Mathieu Valbuena over a sex tape. Benzema then angered Didier Deschamps when he was left out of the Euro 2016 squad by saying the coach “bowed to the pressure of a racist part of France.”
Mauro Icardi - Argentina
Since having an affair in 2013 with fellow Argentine Maxi Lopez’ wife, with whom he is now married, the Inter Milan striker has mysteriously failed to get in the Argentina squad. Lopez’ friendship with influential Argentines Diego Maradona, Lionel Messi and Javier Mascherano is thought to be the reason why Icardi has been frozen out, despite widespread denials.
Leroy Sane - Germany
The biggest surprise omission after World Cup squads were finalised, especially considering Sane’s form for Manchester City this season, with whom he won the Premier League and took the PFA’s Young Player of the Year award, scoring 10 with 15 assists. Germany boss Joachim Loew justified the cut by saying he opted for Julian Brandt instead for his defensive qualities.
Mario Gotze - Germany
Considering he was the hero of the 2014 World Cup final scoring Germany’s lone match-winner against Argentina, the Borussia Dortmund midfielder should be the first name back on the team sheet. However, after last year being diagnosed, and struggling to recover from, myopathy, a disease that affects the functioning of muscle tissue, it is perhaps less of a surprise that he’s been overlooked.
Radja Nainggolan - Belgium
This fans’ favourite has been left out of the Roberto Martinez’s Belgium squad for ‘tactical’ reasons, despite helping Roma beat Barcelona to reach the Champions League semi-finals, where he scored twice late on against Liverpool in the second leg. Martinez flew to Rome to explain his decision to the player in person but that hasn’t stopped Nainggolan from angrily announcing his international retirement.
Anthony Martial - France
Described as the next Thierry Henry when he opened with 11 goals in 31 games for Manchester United after joining from Monaco two seasons ago, he has since only scored only four in 25 and nine in 30, seeing him overlooked by France. Since debuting in 2015 he has only scored one in 18 appearances for France, and only made three appearances off the bench at Euro 2016.
Marcos Alonso - Spain
Despite an outstanding season for Chelsea, which has seen Alonso linked with a return to Spain with Real Madrid or Barcelona next season, there is still no room in the Spain squad for him. He made the Premier League Team of the Year last season. However, he has still only played one match for his country, debuting in a friendly against Argentina in March.
Aymeric Laporte - France
Manchester City broke their own transfer record to bring in Laporte from Atletico Bilbao for £57.2 million in the last winter transfer window. With over 200 club games at the age of just 24, it’s shocking that despite his experience, he has never been picked for France. Spain have tried to tempt him away, but he’s holding out for Les Bleus call-up.
David Luiz - Brazil
Never lived down his ill-fated captaincy of Brazil during their infamous 7-1 battering by Germany in the semis of the last World Cup on home soil. It’s that image of him crying that Brazil now want to rid themselves of as they look to make amends in Russia, and despite his experience, the Chelsea man is a psychologically pleasing cut to make.
Hector Bellerin - Spain
Quickly became Arsene Wenger’s first choice right-back at Arsenal and was tipped for a Cesc Fabregas and Gerard Pique-style return to Barcelona after a successful stint in England. That never materialised though and he has since stagnated in Wenger’s 3-4-2-1 system unsure of whether to push forward or drop back. An unused substitute at Euro 2016, he’s now not even on the list.
Joe Hart - England
His career has been in freefall since those two mistakes for England against Wales and Iceland at Euro 2016. Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola quickly offloaded him to Torino and West Ham and now England boss Gareth Southgate has opted for three youngsters in Jordan Pickford, Jack Butland and Nick Pope instead of offering Hart a chance to redeem himself.
Substitutes
Alvaro Morata, Spain
Cesc Fabregas, Spain
Alexandre Lacazette, France
Jack Wilshere, England
Chris Smalling, England
Kingsley Coman, France
