Top 10 players that missed Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup due to injury
Qatar played host to many countries and big football players at the 22nd edition of the FIFA World Cup. However, not all the Stars that hope to be at the tournament had a chance to play for their respective countries.
Even though some footballers never had a chance to play at the tournament due to qualification bouts, some had to pull out due to injury.
Here are the top 10 players that missed the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup due to injury blows and some of their thoughts
1. Karim Benzema: the 34-year-old suffered a setback on the eve of the tournament. A tear on the quadriceps of his left thigh put the French forward on the sidelines. The development was disheartening for the Real Madrid striker but he has to pull out of the squad.
In reaction, he wrote “in my life I have never given up… but tonight I have to think of the team as I have always done so reason tells me to leave my place to someone who can help my group to make a great World Cup. Thank you for all your messages of support”.
2. Sadio Mane: one of the beckons of light in the Senegalese national team sustained knee damage at the Allianz Arena following Bayern Munich’s chastising 6-1 victory over Werder Bremen in the Bundesliga.
Mane, 30-year-old was pivotal to the success of his national team throughout the World Cup qualification route. Thanks to the decisive spot-kick that denied the Pharaohs of Egypt a chance at the event.
A statement from Bayern Munich has it that
“He had a successful operation conducted by Prof. Christian Fink and Dr. Andy Williams from London.
“During the procedure, a tendon was reattached to the right fibula head.
“The FC Bayern attacking player is no longer available for the Senegal national team for the World Cup and will begin his rehabilitation in Munich in the coming days”.
3. Christopher Nkunku: before the World Cup, a subtle tackle from his team-mate during a training session was enough to uphold a lateral and anterior ligament torn on the knee of the 25-year-old.
Reacting to the aftermath on Instagram via a Mail, the RB Leipzig and French forward wrote
“Yesterday evening, following a medical examinations, I had to leave Les Bleus and withdraw from the World Cup.
“Now it’s fine to work with only one objective: to come back even stronger.
“A thought for my team-mate Eduardo Camavinga who has been unfairly targeted. The World Cup must be a moment of harmony, not of division.
“Thank you to all my staff and my team-mate for their support. I will be your biggest supporter. Make us proud!”
4. Reece James: having picked up knee damage during Chelsea’s Champions League group match against AC Milan, the 22-year-old England right-back lost the chance to be at Qatar.
Fully aware of the situation, the Chelsea defender did all he could to get back to fitness but couldn’t make Gary Southgate’s list and he wrote
“I’ve worked harder than I ever thought I could to give myself the best chance of going and truly believed I could help the team. I appreciate there was a risk on both sides but it was one I was willing to take. Good luck to the boys. I’ll be back soon. Stay safe & sending love.”
In another post on Instagram, Reece James wrote
“It’s a crowd when it’s time to party but when it’s time to put that work in it gets lonely”.
5. Paul Pogba: with a torn on his meniscus, the French midfielder had to be ruled out of the competition. The injury didn’t only affect his international duty but also his club football.
A return to Turin during the transfer window hasn’t gotten nicely for the 29-year-old since he only trained with the squad and never featured in any competitive game before the injury hit.
On Twitter, Pogba wrote “God had another plan for me. I will be supporting my team, my nation, my country from far away, but my heart is with them! Best of luck to all the selected players”
6. Diogo Jota: 25-year-old Portuguese forward was ruled out of the event after he damaged his calf muscle during a 1-0 win over Manchester City in the Premier League.
The injury was severe that he was taken off on a stretcher and that has left the Liverpool star on the sidelines for the crucial part of the year.
7. Timo Werner: RB Leipzig forward suffered an early-minute torn on his ankle during the 4-0 Champions League win over Shakhtar Donetsk.
The fate of the 26-year-old German striker was dashed following us inability to continue with the game even though his team cruised to victory. However, the syndesmotic ligament damage ended his Qatar 2022 World Cup dream.
8. N’golo Kante: hamstring injury worry suffered by the 31-year-old in a dramatic 2-2 draw game between Chelsea and Tottenham in the Premier League was enough to put him on the sidelines.
The French midfielder, Kante hasn’t been on the front foot since August this year, thus his absence remains a big miss for the national team.
9. Joaquin Correa: 28-year-old Argentine forward initially had a spot in the World Cup squad but later suffered a tendon injury smash on his left thigh. The injury concerns of the Inter Milan forward left Thiago Almada to take his place at the event.
Unable to hide his feelings, Correa posted on his Instagram account “sadness that cannot be explained in words, focused on recovering”
10. Presnel Kimpembe: earlier enlisted in the French World Cup squad, the Paris Saint Germain defender later pulled out due to a slow and partial recovery from injury.
Reacting to his initial selection, Kimpembe wrote in an Instagram post
“An immense pride to have the opportunity again to represent my country in the most beautiful of competition,”
However, the injury woes of the 27-year-old denied him a chance at Qatar 2022 tournament, and were replaced by Axel Disasi, AS Monaco’s young talent.
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