Playing in the World Cup is probably every footballer’s dream and the pinnacle of their career.
Some, like Pele, not only participated in the tournament several times, but also lifted the trophy several times.
But some top players end their careers without competing.
Some of them help their team to qualify and it is good to be in the group, but they miss the flight due to an unfortunate injury.
Here are the top 10 players missing the 2022 World Cup due to injury, with a special mention to France’s Karim Benzema who was ruled out a day before the World Cup.
Paul Pogba (France)
Perhaps the biggest name on the list, Paul Pogba – World Cup and Euro winner with France, international star, and above all, an important member of the French team – will be absent this time as they look to defend their title in Qatar.
Pogba underwent surgery in September on a knee injury and will not recover in time for France to open their defense on November 22 against Australia.
Sadio Mane (Senegal)
Senegalese striker Sadio Mane was in Qatar’s squad but had to be withdrawn two days before Sunday’s opening game. Mane suffered a leg injury while playing for his club Bayern Munich earlier this month.
The news did not go down well with the Senegalese fans as their hopes for the success of Teranga Tigers rested on Mane’s shoulders. Senegal play their first match against the Netherlands on November 21.
Marcus Reus (Germany)
Marcus Reus has had his share of bad luck when it comes to the World Cup.
The 33-year-old missed the 2014 edition due to injury, and his team went on to lift the trophy. Reus was due to return from injury to be in Hansi Flick’s Germany side for the 2022 World Cup, only to add to his knee injury and be ruled out again.
Diogo Jota (Portugal)
One of Portugal’s biggest attacking men, Diogo Jota would have been among the first names in his starting XI during their World Cup campaign. But Jota injured his calf representing his club Liverpool in a league match in October.
Although Jota did not need surgery, the recovery period from his injury will be long enough to keep him out of the World Cup. Pundits have placed Portugal among the favorites for the tournament and Jota’s absence could have a huge impact on their chances.
Amine Harit (Morocco)
Most of Amine Harit’s Moroccan players had already arrived in Qatar when he suffered an injury that would rule him out of the World Cup. The Marseille player suffered a knee injury in his last game for the club before traveling to Doha.
A 25-year-old man was carried away on a stretcher. The pictures broke Moroccan hearts. Local media have been flooded with messages of support from teammates, and Harit says he will travel to Qatar to support his team in the match.
Arthur Melo (Brazil)
In one of these cases where a player is injured without participating in a game, the Brazilian player injured his left thigh while training for his Liverpool team. The injury occurred in October and will keep Melo out of the World Cup.
The 22-year-old expressed his disappointment in an Instagram post: “It comes at a time when, after a lot of effort and hard work, I was ready to settle in my new team and determined to fight for my dream. to play at the World Cup.”
With age on his side, Melo may get another chance to play in the World Cup.
N’Golo Kante (France)
France coach Didier Deschamps will have N’Golo Kante in his midfield when the team face Australia in their tournament opener. The midfield maestro suffered a serious hip injury last month, keeping him out until January.
The 33-year-old was a key part of the French side as Les Blues won their second World Cup four years ago. He was France’s top scorer in the run-up to the tournament and has since become a household name on the team’s website.
It remains to be seen whether he will be fit and in shape when the next World Cup arrives, but age does not seem to be on his side.
Yuta Nakayama (Japan)
Adding to the long list of forwards and midfielders who have pulled themselves out of the World Cup, Japan’s Yuta Nakayama is one of those working in defense.
The 25-year-old injured his Achilles while playing for his English club Huddersfield Town earlier this month. Nakayama has played 17 games for Japan and was part of coach Hajime Moriyasu’s squad for Qatar until he suffered an injury earlier this month.
Japan will open their campaign against Germany on November 23.
Jojo Wallacott (Ghana)
The Ghanaian team can expect plenty of support in Qatar when they open their World Cup campaign against Portugal on November 24. However, they will be missing the defensive strength of their goalkeeper Jojo Wallacott who has been ruled out of the tournament due to a finger injury. .
Wallacott plays club football for Charlton Athletic in England, and was left out of the 26-man squad less than a week before the start of the World Cup.
Ghanian media reports say Wallacott may still travel with the team but will not take part in the tournament.
Boy Lo Celso (Argentina)
Argentina are among the favorites to lift the trophy in Qatar, not least because of Lionel Messi.
The 2014 finalists have a strong roster of players in their squad, as well as a Copa America title to their name. One of the most important factors in the success of the title, however, will not be present in Qatar.
Giovani Lo Celso, Argentina’s most important midfield player, was sidelined with a tear last month. Lo Celso is so important to coach Lionel Scaloni that he has said there is no replacement for the 26-year-old. “Statistically there are places, but football-wise there are none,” Scaloni told reporters earlier this month.
