[softy54534]

Jun 2, 2010
World Cup casualties



-- PHOTO: REUTERS

WHILE the road to the World Cup 2010 finals in South Africa brings hope to participating countries, it has nevertheless resulted in disappointment for many professional football players. Have a look at some of the higher-profile 'casualties', and see why they won't be participating in the illustrious World Cup.

[MannoFr]

AC Milan star Ronaldinho was dropped from the Brazil World Cup squad, but still has a slim chance as one of seven reserves. -- PHOTO: REUTERS




Karim Benzema was entirely left out of France's preliminary World Cup squad of 30. -- PHOTO: ASSOCIATED PRESS




Manchester United captain Gary Neville was reportedly 'unsurprised' to be left out of Fabio Capello's England World Cup squad, but felt team-mate Wes Brown should have made it in. -- PHOTO: ASSOCIATED PRESS

[HedgeYourBets]

Andrei Arshavin captained the Russian World Cup team in the qualifiers, but they narrowly went out on away goals. -- PHOTO: AP




Wales veteran Ryan Giggs has never played in the World Cup despite his otherwise illustrious career, as Wales have not qualified for the finals since 1958. -- PHOTO: BH




Barcelona's Zlatan Ibrahimovic missed out on the World Cup after Sweden were beaten 1-0 by Denmark, who qualified at their expense.-- PHOTO: AGENCE-FRANCE PRESSE

[Paul Bunyan]

Theo Walcott, famously a shock inclusion in Sven-Goran Eriksson's World Cup squad of 2006, was unceremoniously cut from new England boss Fabio Capello's squad.-- PHOTO: REUTERS




Germany's Michael Ballack will be missing out on the finals in South Africa, after he sustained an ankle injury in the FA Cup final for club Chelsea. -- PHOTO: ASSOCIATED PRESS




USA forward Charlie Davies wasn't expected to feature in the World Cup after being involved in a 'horrific' car accident, but despite a 'remarkable' recovery he was left out nonetheless. -- PHOTO: ASSOCIATED PRESS

[TorryJens]

The Republic of Ireland team was unfairly dumped out of the qualifiers by France, but captain Robbie Keane has pledged to focus on the Euro 2012 qualifiers instead. -- PHOTO: REUTERS




Italy's Francesco Totti said he would come out of international retirement for the World Cup, but was left out of Claudio Ranieri's squad. -- PHOTO: ASSOCIATED PRESS




1998 World Cup winner and France veteran Patrick Vieira was left out of coach Raymond Domenech's provisional World Cup team. -- PHOTO: AFP

[Big A]

David Beckham was ruled out of the England World Cup squad after tearing his Achilles tendon, but will travel to South Africa anyway as a special adviser to Fabio Capello. -- PHOTO: REUTERS




Arsenal's Samir Nasri was left out of France's World Cup squad, leaving him 'disappointed'. He has asked for an explanation from coach Raymond Domenech, but no word has been given. -- PHOTO: AP




Veteran Dutch striker Ruud van Nistelrooy was hoping to come out of international retirement for the World Cup, but was left out of Holland's World Cup team by coach Bert van Marwijk. -- PHOTO: AGENCE-FRANCE PRESSE

[tgs]

Very different reasons for these players missing out on the world cup.
1. Player retired from international football. Nothing to be disappointed about. E.g. Giggs.

2. Country did not qualify. Disappointment but it's not a personal disappointment. Nothing much the player could do. E.g. Arshavin

3. Country qualified, but player not selected. E.g. Walcott, Nasri. Really disappointing. The player would wish he had played better throughout the season.

4. Country qualified, player selected, but got injured. E.g. Ferdinand. Extremely disappointing, he will have lots of regrets.

[Lt_Apple]

Very different reasons for these players missing out on the world cup.
1. Player retired from international football. Nothing to be disappointed about. E.g. Giggs.

2. Country did not qualify. Disappointment but it's not a personal disappointment. Nothing much the player could do. E.g. Arshavin

Do you mean Scholes instead of Giggs? Wales has never qualified for the World Cup during Giggs' playing days, retired internationally or not. Giggs fits in better in 2., whether this or previous World Cups.

[MannoFr]

Do you mean Scholes instead of Giggs? Wales has never qualified for the World Cup during Giggs' playing days, retired internationally or not. Giggs fits in better in 2., whether this or previous World Cups.

The TS posted a picture of Giggs, that's why I mentioned Giggs.
He qualifies for 1. He has retired from international football, so the fact that his country did not qualify, does not matter.
2 is for players who have not retired from international football, but whose country did not qualify.

[Lillie_Steins]

Players promised "World Cup 2010" qualification. But Ministar never fulfill the road map or address.

All current national footballers from Sinkapore.

Very disappointed.

[Peptobismol]

Holland's Arjen Robben was initially ruled out of the Oranjes' World Cup campaign with a thigh injury,
but is now slated to just miss the opening match with Denmark instead. -- PHOTO: AFP




England captain Rio Ferdinand crashed out of the World Cup with a knee injury sustained in a training session.
He will hand over the captain's armband to Steve Gerrard instead. -- PHOTO: AP




Manchester United winger Nani was heartbroken as he suffered a left shoulder injury in Lisbon right before Portugal left for South Africa. -- PHOTO: AP

[Paul Bunyan]

Italy's inspirational midfielder Andrea Pirlo was ruled out of the opening match against Paraguay with a calf strain,
but the team still hopes he will recover in time for the rest of the campaign. -- PHOTO: AP




Brazilian goalkeeper Julio Cesar injured his back after clashing with a Zimbabwean player in an international friendly,
sparking fears he might miss Brazil's World Cup campaign. However, doctors have said he will make a full recovery. -- PHOTO: AFP




The USA's Jozy Altidore sprained his ankle while training with the team, making him an uncertainty for USA's opening match with England. -- PHOTO: AP