The major talking points of World Cup squad selections are often not focused on those players selected but instead centre on those who have not made it to the finals.
A talented list of high-profile missing men, I think you'll agree.
Phillipe Coutinho - Midfielder - Brazil - Age 20
The Brazilian has been a key man during Brendan Rodger's Liverpool revolution, amassing 50 appearances this season while contributing eight goals and seven assists.
However, Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari deemed him surplus to requirements.
He certainly has a bright future and time is still on his side to make an impact at international level, despite stern competition in Brazil's midfield.
Isco - Midfielder - Spain - Age 22
Isco made the move from Malaga to Real Madrid last summer and became an instant hit at the Bernabeu, scoring a late goal against Real Betis in the club's first home league fixture of the season.
The promising midfielder made over 30 appearances this term, but as Spain are blessed with a plethora of talent in the middle someone had to miss out.
Javier Pastore - Forward - Argentina - Age 24
The Paris St Germain attacker was one of the first big-money signings fuelled by Qatari investment at the Parc des Princes back in the summer of 2011.
He was included in Diego Maradona's World Cup squad four years ago but has struggled to break into Laurent Blanc's starting XI in Paris, making a just 12 league starts this season.
Samir Nasri - Midfielder - France - Age 26
France coach Didier Deschamps is believed to have overlooked the Premier League winner for not buying into the team ethos.
His girlfriend's angry outburst at Deschamps' decision on social media has not helped his cause. Nevertheless the midfielder's omission has been met with widespread confusion.
Nasri was in great form for Manchester City last season, playing a key role with timely goals during the title run-in.
Ronaldinho - Forward - Brazil - Age 34
Not selected because he's "too old" for a World Cup - try telling that to Andrea Pirlo and Steven Gerrard. Ronaldinho is stuck on 97 caps for Brazil - a tally it seems unlikely he will add to in the future - despite enjoying a successful career revival at Atletico Mineiro.
A player of his quality and experience could have proved an invaluable inclusion in the squad amid the pressure and hype that comes with being host nation.
Roberto Soldado - Striker - Spain - Age 28
The Spaniard's 29th birthday must have witnessed muted celebrations after he missed out on Vicente del Bosque's World Cup squad.
Despite his great record in Spain that resulted in Del Bosque taking him to the Confederations Cup last summer, Soldado has struggled to produce the goods consistently since moving to Tottenham.
In a World Cup season, a move abroad to another country and another culture seemed to be a bit of a gamble, and it has not paid off.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic - Striker - Sweden - Age 32
Ibrahimovic and the Swedes were brushed aside single-handedly by Cristiano Ronaldo in the play-off with Portugal that guaranteed qualification to Brazil.
Ibrahimovic has been a force of nature in his own right this season, netting 26 times in Ligue 1 and 41 in all competitions.
It is a shame a player of his calibre will not be gracing the World Cup with his enigmatic and unpredictable presence.
Carlos Tevez - Striker - Argentina - Age 30
Coach Alejandro Sabella left Tevez out despite his productive 19-goal return in Serie A, which helped Juventus to another league title.
Having represented Argentina at both the 2006 and 2010 World Cups, it seems like a personal decision to leave the former Manchester City striker out.
The player has overwhelming support in his home country, and his absence has certainly been the major talking point of Sabella's squad selection, especially when you consider the far-from-prolific Franco Di Santo has been preferred ahead of him.
A talented list of high-profile missing men, I think you'll agree.
The Brazilian has been a key man during Brendan Rodger's Liverpool revolution, amassing 50 appearances this season while contributing eight goals and seven assists.
However, Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari deemed him surplus to requirements.
He certainly has a bright future and time is still on his side to make an impact at international level, despite stern competition in Brazil's midfield.
Isco - Midfielder - Spain - Age 22Isco made the move from Malaga to Real Madrid last summer and became an instant hit at the Bernabeu, scoring a late goal against Real Betis in the club's first home league fixture of the season.
The promising midfielder made over 30 appearances this term, but as Spain are blessed with a plethora of talent in the middle someone had to miss out.
Javier Pastore - Forward - Argentina - Age 24The Paris St Germain attacker was one of the first big-money signings fuelled by Qatari investment at the Parc des Princes back in the summer of 2011.
He was included in Diego Maradona's World Cup squad four years ago but has struggled to break into Laurent Blanc's starting XI in Paris, making a just 12 league starts this season.
Samir Nasri - Midfielder - France - Age 26France coach Didier Deschamps is believed to have overlooked the Premier League winner for not buying into the team ethos.
His girlfriend's angry outburst at Deschamps' decision on social media has not helped his cause. Nevertheless the midfielder's omission has been met with widespread confusion.
Nasri was in great form for Manchester City last season, playing a key role with timely goals during the title run-in.
Ronaldinho - Forward - Brazil - Age 34Not selected because he's "too old" for a World Cup - try telling that to Andrea Pirlo and Steven Gerrard. Ronaldinho is stuck on 97 caps for Brazil - a tally it seems unlikely he will add to in the future - despite enjoying a successful career revival at Atletico Mineiro.
A player of his quality and experience could have proved an invaluable inclusion in the squad amid the pressure and hype that comes with being host nation.
Roberto Soldado - Striker - Spain - Age 28The Spaniard's 29th birthday must have witnessed muted celebrations after he missed out on Vicente del Bosque's World Cup squad.
Despite his great record in Spain that resulted in Del Bosque taking him to the Confederations Cup last summer, Soldado has struggled to produce the goods consistently since moving to Tottenham.
In a World Cup season, a move abroad to another country and another culture seemed to be a bit of a gamble, and it has not paid off.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic - Striker - Sweden - Age 32
Ibrahimovic and the Swedes were brushed aside single-handedly by Cristiano Ronaldo in the play-off with Portugal that guaranteed qualification to Brazil.
Ibrahimovic has been a force of nature in his own right this season, netting 26 times in Ligue 1 and 41 in all competitions.
It is a shame a player of his calibre will not be gracing the World Cup with his enigmatic and unpredictable presence.
Carlos Tevez - Striker - Argentina - Age 30Coach Alejandro Sabella left Tevez out despite his productive 19-goal return in Serie A, which helped Juventus to another league title.
Having represented Argentina at both the 2006 and 2010 World Cups, it seems like a personal decision to leave the former Manchester City striker out.
The player has overwhelming support in his home country, and his absence has certainly been the major talking point of Sabella's squad selection, especially when you consider the far-from-prolific Franco Di Santo has been preferred ahead of him.
No comments:
Post a Comment