World Cup 2018: These 9 great players will be absent from the competition (photos)

A few weeks before the World Cup, the countries qualified for the big sporting event have already unveiled the list of selected footballers.

While many fans would have bet that some stars would be selected to defend the colours of their respective countries, well the disappointment was great.

Here are 9 football stars you will not see in Russia. Most of these players had been selected for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

1. David Luiz (Brazil)

When coach Tite unveiled his list of 23 players, many were surprised to see that David Luiz’s name was not there.

2. Joe Hart (England)

English team coach Gareth Southgate has decided to skip Joe Hart for the Russia 2018 World cup. The angry goalie could not hide his frustration. “I’m not going to lie, I’m disgusted,” he wrote on his Instagram account on this Friday.

For his part, Gareth SouthGate tried to justify his decision. “I took the top three goalkeepers of the season. With Joe, we have three other goaltenders who have had very good seasons and the decision I had to face was to keep Joe and have some experience in the group or give a chance to the three guys who have had a better season? We decided that the players should all be taken on merit after their performances this season,” he told Sky Sports.

3. Jack Wilshere (England)

The English international player has also not been selected by his coach. The latter believes that Jack Wilshere’s performance this season was not commendable.
“He played well for a period, but his level is a bit down towards the end of the season.”

4. Alexandre Lacazette (France)

The national team of France is one of the favourites of the competition and the coach Didier Dechamps does not take risks with the selection of his team. He did not include Lacazette in the list of players who will represent France.

“I do not want to accumulate and put five or six, I do not see the interest in the collective, Alexandre Lacazette had a good match against Germany last November, like the whole team. Besides that, there have been fewer. It’s a complete analysis in relation to certain situations, and in relation to the role in this group,” said Deschamps last Thursday.

5. Anthony Martial (France)

Like his teammate Lacazette, Anthony Martial is not in the list of 23 players selected. The 23-year-old could not convince his coach.

“He mostly played left or right in Manchester. I got it at the Euro. He is capable on a match, as was the case in Germany. But when he should have seized the opportunities out of the bench, he did not, it is not to put to his credit. His last matches do not plead in his favours. Accumulate players in the same position, I do not see the interest in the selection,” said Didier Deschamps.

6. Andre Gomes (Portugal)

The 24-year-old Portuguese midfielder was a promising player when he was recruited by Barça two seasons ago but had limited playing time.

The Portuguese international has failed to cement his place in the 11 holders of Luis Enrique and current coach Enersto Valverde. No wonder he was not selected to participate in the world.

7. Nelson Semedo (Portugal)

While Fernandos Santos, has unveiled his list of 23 players selected, the name of Nelson Semedo is not listed.

Semedo’s impressive performance at the Confederations Cup for Selecao has attracted Valverde’s attention, but Fernando Santos believes he is not up to the world.

8. Fabio Coentrao (Portugal)

The Real Madrid defender currently on loan at Sporting Lisbon has made it clear that he would not be fit enough to represent his country, which would justify his absence from Fernando Santos’ list.

9. Luis Nani (Portugal)

For the first time in years, Luiz Nani has been excluded from the Portuguese team that will participate in the World Cup. Nani has not been impressive this season with his Turkish club, Fenerbache.