The World Cup in Russia is only some few weeks away and as teams prepare to begin camping ahead of the global showpiece, most players have begun getting call-ups from their managers and are more excited as ever to be on the plane to Russia. Others could not get the privilege to be part of this hugely decorated football event because their countries failed to qualify or they were not called up due to poor performances this season. Here is a list of top stars who probably should have been at the World Cup and will be missed.
Alexis Sanchez
Alexis Sanchez started the season as an Arsenal player and moved to the red of Manchester in January in a mammoth swap deal that saw him rise to a weekly wage of about £350,000 per week. However, even after playing in the Confederations cup in June; and reaching the final, Chile failed to qualify for the World Cup. Finishing 6th in the CONMEBOL round of qualifiers behind Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina, Colombia and Peru. Chile lost some vital points both home and away and it cost them on the final day as Argentina won their game to deny them a place in the World Cup. Alexis Sanchez will be sorely missed at the World Cup including this Chile team that is full of good players and have won the Copa America twice in a row.
Mario Gotze
Toast of the football world in that final in Brazil as he finished expertly past Romero to clinch the World Cup for Germany. Then, 22 years, Mario Gotze was taunted as Germany’s youngest superstar and future of the Die Manschaft. In the years the proceeded, Gotze had a really torrid time under Pep Guardiola at Bayern and switched back to his boyhood club, Dortmund amid protests from the Dortmund fans. Injuries, lack of form and a general decline in Dortmund’s overall form over the years has sort of taken the shine off the player’s career with many arguing that the payer could not handle the superstar status after the World Cup in Brazil. In his second spell with Dortmund, Gotze has not lived up to expectations and in a season where he scored only three goals German coach, Joachim Low had no choice but to leave him out.
Mauro Icardi
Once again overlooked for another major tournament by the coach, Inter Milan striker, Mauro Icardi was left out by Jorge Sampaoli who preferred to take Sergio Aguero, Gonzalo Higuiain and Paulo Dybala instead. Icardi has been in fine form for Inter in the just ended Serie A season as he captained the Inter Milan team to a Champions league qualification spot. Icardi scored a total of 29 goals this season and was hugely influential for Luciano Spalleti’s side as the Milan team relied hugely on him for goals. Rumours have it that Icardi’s temperament could unstable the dressing room and hence his continuous omission from a place in the Albiceleste team. There are other people who have mooted that Messi is not a fan of the player and hence Icardi’s omission. However, the player in the past season has grown up really well and has not had an issue with his club, coach or team mates and has won the hearts of the fans back with his performances and therefore the case of temperament doesn’t hold water. The truth is, however we would see it, Icardi should have been on a plane to Russia with the Argentine national team based on his impressive performances during the season.
Leonardo Bonucci
Leonardo Bonucci is still undoubtedly one of the best defenders in the world even after his controversial move to AC Milan fromJuventus. Bonucci was instantly made captain of the Milan team and even though their performances were questionable at times, Buffon was one of the brightest stars in their somewhat below par season. Italy failed to qualify for the World Cup for the first time in 60 years after scaling through the qualifiers only to lose to Sweden over two legs by a lone goal. At 31 years, Bonucci might not be able to grace the World Cup again given his age and it would be a huge loss to not see him play in thie World Cup in Russia together with the Azzuri.
Radja Nainggolan
Belgium boss, Roberto Martinez bizarrely dropped Radja Nainggolan from the final list of players to travel to Russia to defend the Belgian flag. The decision caused a major uproar among Belgian and football fans alike and many questioned Martinez’s decision to drop the Roma midfielder. Martinez defended his decision by saying he needed players who had the ability to play how he (Martinez) wants not those who want to play for their reputations. Rumours however have it that, Martinez and Nainggolan are not on good terms and the player was dropped because of those circumstances. The star-studded Belgian midfield that boasts the likes of Kevin De Bruyne, Eden Hazard, Moussa Dembele, Axel Witsel and the likes would on paper seem not to have problems with Nainggolan missing out but the 30 year old is a very influential player for his country and might be missed. Known for his hard tackling and ferocity in midfield duels, coupled with an eye for long range shoots, Nainggolan would be sorely missed by this Belgium side. And after launching a rather scathing verbal attack on Martinez, Radja Nainngolan released a statement that that said he had retired from International duty.
Asamoah Gyan
Africa’s all-time leading goalscorer at the World Cup misses out on adding to that tally as Ghana failed to qualify for the World Cup for the first time since 2006. Ghana’s off- field problems and their disappointing show in Brazil in 2014, has haunted them all through the qualifiers and in a qualifying group that contained Egypt, Uganda and Congo Brazzaville, the African giants fell short as Egypt won the group to gain automatic qualification to the World Cup.
Alexandre Lacazette
Probably a victim of a hugely talented pool of players looking to be selected, Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette missed out on a call up as Deschamps decided to drop the former Lyon striker. Lacazette who joined Arsenal in the summer for a then record fee with 14goals and 4 assists in the just ended season. Lacazzette is among an elite French footballers club that has names like Anthony Martial, Moussa Sissoko, Adrien Rabiot and of course Karim Benzema that were not called up for national team duty with ‘Les Blues’ going into the World cup. And with Deschamps probably taking only two out-and-out strikers to the tournament, Lacazette arguably should have been on the plane.
Gareth Bale
Fresh from being the hero of a record breaking night in Kyiv where his two strikes sealed the thirteenth Champions league for Real Madrid, Gareth Bale would certainly have wished his home country- Wales- would have booked a ticket to the monumental showpiece in Russia. After an impressive showing at the Euros in 2016, many would have thought a Gareth Bale inspired Wales would have made it to the World Cup for the first time in as many years. Wales failed to qualify from a group that contained Serbia, Republic of Ireland, Austria, Georgia and Moldova playing most times with Gareth Bale injured and both Wales and Gareth Bale would feel if Bale hadn’t had such an injury plagued season, they probably would have booked a ticket to Russia.
Memphis Depay
Shipped out to Lyon by Jose Mourinho’s United, Memphis Depay has become that player we used to know in the Dutch league with PSV. Rejuvinated, hungry and more matured, Memphis has shone brightly in a Lyon shirt this season and would have wished the Dutch side would not have given such a poor account of themselves during qualifiers. The Oranje needed to beat Sweden on the last day of qualifying by seven clear goals to overtake Sweden and qualify for a play-off spot. With Sweden being no pushovers during qualifiers, Holland only managed a 2 goal win and Sweden progressed. The Holland team was plagued by managerial and player selection issues coupled with a poor showing at the Euros in 2016, Holland were on a decline and thus could not make it to the World Cup.
Edin Dzeko 
Bosnia missed the World Cup and football fans might probably not bother until you remember Edin Dzeko is part of that Bosnian side. Roma’s top marksman this season with a total of 24 goals in all competitions, Dzeko played a leading part in Roma’s push for the title this season. Good in the air, incisive in the box and an intelligent team player, the Bosnian captain would not be leading his charges at the World Cup since they could not qualify for the competition.
The Green Turf 
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