ADVERTISEMENT
Asamoah Gyan among 15 big names who will miss Russia 2018
Ghana’s skipper Gyan, Alexis Sanchez and Gareth Bale headline a host of big names who will be absent from next summer's World Cup after their countries failed to qualify for the tournament.
Recommended articles
Below is the full list
Jan Oblak (Slovakia/Atletico Madrid)
The player has been the biggest shot-stopper in the Spanish La Liga for the past two seasons and he was eyeing his maiden FIFA World Cup appearance with Slevenia, but his hopes were dashed when they failed to qualify from a group which had England finishing as the group leaders.
ADVERTISEMENT
Virgil van Dijk (Netherlands/Southampton)
The Dutch centre back was in the news over the summer seeking a move away from Southampton due to his impressive defensive abilities. Dijk was part of the Netherlands team who just failed to book a place in the 2018, hence the defender for the Saints will be absent when all eye balls watch the best players on planet earth in 2018.
Antonio Valencia (Ecuador/Manchester United)
The Manchester United has been solid at the back for the Red Devils, he is one of Jose Mourinho untouchables. Despite his fine form at club level, Antonio Valencia’s presence in the Ecuador team couldn’t inspire them to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
David Alaba (Austria/Bayern Munich)
ADVERTISEMENT
Alaba has won as many as six Bundesliga titles, yet he struggles playing for Austria, failing to make a mark in the 2016 European Championship. The Bayern Munich’s left full back’s contribution was not enough to propel Austria to a qualification for the 2018 World Cup.
Arturo Vidal (Chile/Bayern Munich)
The hard-tacking midfielder will surely be missed by football fans in the World Cup. Chile were tipped to qualify for the World Cup from the South American zone, but they couldn’t get a point from Brazil to sail through, so will have no part to play in Russia 2018.
Naby Keita (Guinea/RB Leipzig)
The Liverpool-bound midfielder will be fresh when he arrives at Anfield next summer after Guinea could not qualify from a group containing Tunisia, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Libya.
ADVERTISEMENT
Gareth Bale (Wales/Real Madrid)
The former World’s most expensive player would have to wait for another four years to play at the World Cup, because Wales were piped to a play-off spot by the Republic of Ireland. Gareth Bale hasn’t been enjoying a good form at Real Madrid due to recurring injuries and his frustration continued as Wales lost against Republic of Ireland and eventually missed out on a playoff spot
Alexis Sanchez (Chile/Arsenal)
The Arsenal attacker has been unsettled at Arsenal after his quest to move away from the club fell through in the summer and it continued at the national team level when he and his Chilean side were denied a place in the Mudial on the final day of the South American qualifiers for Russia 2018 when Brazil defeated them 2-0. Sanchez was Arsenal’s best player last season and made the headlines on several occasions in the Premier League, finishing as the third top scorer, despite attacking from the wings. His absence would be felt greatly.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Gabon/Borussia Dortmund)
ADVERTISEMENT
The pacy attacker has been living his dream in the Bundsliga, emerging as the Bundesliga top scorer last season with 31 goals for Borussia Dortmund. However, he couldn’t single handedly drag Gabon along to the World Cup. Aubameyang is still yet to make his debut World Cup appearance, but that won’t be at Russia 2018.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan (Armenia/Manchester United)
Armenia have never qualified for the FIFA World Cup and moreover they don’t have the talent to see that happens any time soon, meaning the most talented player to have emerged from the nation, Henrikh Mkhitaryan would never play at the Mundial. They labored in vein and missed out on the 2018 FIFA World Cup which is not a news, though, the absence of the Manchester United playmaker who has the highest assist thus far in the Premier League would be felt greatly by football loving fans.
Arjen Robben (Holland/Bayern Munich)
A veteran of three World Cups, Robben announced his retirement from international football shortly after scoring twice against Sweden in the final match of Holland's unsuccessful qualification campaign
ADVERTISEMENT
Edin Dzeko (Bosnia and Herzegovina/Roma)
The former Manchester City striker has been on a fantastic run of form for AS Roma, but it wasn’t enough to help Bosnia and Herzegovina to a World Cup qualification.
Riyad Mahrez (Algeria/Leicester)
Algeria have changed about five coaches in a space of three years, but none was able to hold forth and push the nation through to the 2018 FIFA World Cup and not even the galaxy of stars by African standards like Mahrez could save them from finishing last in their group, so the 2016 PFA Players Player of the season would be missing the FIFA World Cup.
Marek Hamsik (Slovakia/Napoli)
ADVERTISEMENT
Slovenia have failed to qualify for Russia 2018, meaning the Napoli playmaker will not feature in the be watched at the World Cup.
Asamoah Gyan (Kayseriispor/Ghana)
The all-time top scorer of the African continent in the FIFA World Cup would be missed big time in Russia. He has scored in all the three previous FIFA World Cups and despite his dip in form at club level he always shows up when he is on national duty. Fans would be missing his goals and dance in Russia.
JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!
ADVERTISEMENT
Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:
Email: eyewitness@pulse.com.gh
Recommended articles
IGP calls for patriotism, maturity and love for humanity in December polls
President Akufo-Addo commissions 15MW Solar Power Plant in Kaleo
Despite $40 million in my account, MBA lecturers still failed me - McDan recounts
You were also accused of recruiting NDC members to the Commission – EC replies Mahama
Citizens offered free beer, taxi rides, health check-ups to boost voter turnout
Group hints at organizing Dumsor Vigil in Accra over erratic power cuts
Parents will soon beg for their children to enrol in public basic schools -Dr Osei- Adutwum
Government rebrands public basic schools, set to change brown and yellow uniforms
