Ten star names who will miss the 2010 World Cup
All 32 nations competing in this year’s World Cup finals have now released their provisional squad lists ahead of next month’s showpiece tournament. While most of the familiar star names will be competing in South Africa, there are at least ten high-profile players who won’t be featuring this summer.
10. Ruud van Nistelrooy (Holland) The former Manchester United striker may have amassed a prolific goalscoring record throughout his career, but Holland head coach Bert van Marwijk has opted to leave the ageing forward at home. Despite Van Nistelrooy’s best efforts to win a place back in the Oranje team by moving to Hamburg from Real Madrid in January, it wasn’t enough to convince Van Merwijk that the striker could replicate his brilliant form of years gone by.
9. Antonio Cassano (Italy) Unlike the other nine players on this list, Antonio Cassano has himself to blame for missing the forthcoming World Cup finals – or rather, his fiancée. The self-proclaimed “prima-donna” announced that he wouldn’t be sacrificing his wedding – due to be held in June - for a place in Italy’s World Cup team, leaving coach Marcello Lippi with no other choice but to omit the Italian bad boy from his 29-man squad. However, Lippi had previously ignored the hugely-talented Sampdoria forward over the past two years because of his outlandish antics, so perhaps Cassano was merely saving himself any potential embarrassment.
8. Adriano (Brazil) Off-the-field personal problems have hindered the career of Brazil striker Adriano. Had he not suffered from multiple bouts of depression and alcoholism, it’s quite conceivable that the 28-year-old would carry a reputation as the best striker in world football. After moving back to Brazil last year to join top-flight Flamengo, Adriano has managed to get his life back on track. Sadly, though, it hasn’t been enough for the Emperor to win a place in Dunga’s World Cup squad.
7. Samir Nasri (France) It was at Marseille where Samir Nasri earned the unenviable label as “the new Zidane” back in the mid-2000s. But two years after joining Arsenal, the 22-year-old has found himself cast into the international wilderness by France’s unpopular coach, Raymond Domenech. This latest decision is unlikely to do the manager any favours with the French supporters, who understandably feel that Nasri could have provided some much-needed creativity and spark to Les Blues’ attack.
6. Francesco Totti (Italy) The 2006 World Cup winner has enjoyed another fine season with title-chasing Roma, scoring 14 league goals and leading his side to the Coppa Italia Final. After making himself available for the World Cup – he initially retired after the triumphant campaign in 2006 – it was expected that Lippi may have taken up Totti’s offer. However, the Italy coach has decided against doing so, and the Azzurri will now have to make do without the services of the influential Roma captain.
5. Javier Zanetti (Argentina) After steering Inter Milan all the way to the Champions League Final, courtesy of some heroic defensive performances, veteran full-back Javier Zanetti will probably be feeling cheated after Argentina manager Diego Maradona left him out of the South American’s World Cup squad earlier this week. With a record 136 caps to his name and coming off the back of a “monster season” in the words of Inter president Massimo Moratti, it marks another bizarre decision from El Diego, who has since stated that he plans to play four centre-backs across the back four this summer.
4. Esteban Cambiasso (Argentina) Like his Inter Milan teammate, Zanetti, midfielder Esteban Cambiasso’s omission from the Argentina squad has raised more than a few eyebrows. Having played an instrumental role in the Serie A side’s run to the Champions League Final, Maradona was expected to hand the defensive midfielder a ticket to South Africa. However, the coach has found no room for the bald pass-master in his 30-man squad. At the previous World Cup in Germany, Cambiasso scored arguably the greatest team goal in the history of the prestigious tournament as Argentina hammered Serbia and Montenegro 6-0. There will be no such scenes this summer.
3. Alexandre Pato (Brazil) Regarded as the bright hope of Brazilian football before his €22 million move to AC Milan from his homeland, Pato is still among the most promising talents in world football. With 41 goals in 87 appearances with the Rossoneri, “the Duck’s” goalscoring record is mightily impressive given that he’s not even 21 yet. With pace to burn and a deadly eye for goal, Dunga’s decision to leave Pato out of Brazil’s World Cup squad is an unusual one – particularly when you consider the likes of Kleberson, Julio Baptista and Grafite have made the cut. News that Pato will not travel to South Africa will buoy fans of the other 31 nations in the tournament, far more than it will the Brazil faithful.
2. Karim Benzema (France) Karim Benzema completed a £30million transfer to the Bernabeu last summer after sealing a dream move to Spanish giants Real Madrid. The 22-year-old forged a revered reputation for himself with Lyon, and had subsequently alerted the interest of Europe’s biggest clubs. However, things haven’t quite panned out for the striker since he arrived in the Spanish capital. After scoring just nine goals all season, Benzema has found himself warming the Real bench on a regular basis, and has been linked with a summer move away from the Primera Liga.
1. Ronaldinho (Brazil) Just four years ago, Ronaldinho was considered the finest player in world football. A Ballon d’Or winner, a two-time FIFA World Player of the Year and a winner of just about every medal going, the tremendously skilful Brazilian attacking midfielder was seemingly untouchable. What a difference a few years in football can make. After being shown the Barcelona door by new manager Pep Guardiola, Ronaldinho made his way to Italy to embark on a spell with AC Milan. But instead of lighting up Serie A, the Brazilian maestro has only sporadically showcased his array of talents. This season, he showed glimpses of his best form, but it wasn’t enough for Dunga, who has stuck by his guns and left the former genius out of his 23-man squad.
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