With an Arsenal player turning down a call-up to the latest England squad following an apparent dispute at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, here are three more popular footballers who rejected their national teams at one point in time.
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As revealed by head coach Gareth Southgate earlier this month, Arsenal defender Ben White made it clear he wanted no involvement in England's friendlies against Brazil and Belgium during this international break. The 26-year-old packed his bags early in Qatar during the most recent World Cup, leaving the Three Lions' camp after a reported fallout with Southgate's staff. While it is thought his main motivation for returning home was due to his lack of game time, White has found himself in a difficult position. Fans have turned on him, and his reputation has taken an undeniable knock – will he be forgiven like the footballers below were?
Zlatan Ibrahimovic – Sweden
In 2006, the towering striker had been a regular Sweden international for five years, but landed himself in hot water after a fallout with then-manager Lars Lagerback. Ibrahimovic was accused of turning up late for team meetings and was ultimately punished by his coach, who dropped the striker from his squad. The forward, furious with what he perceived as unfair treatment, responded by refusing to play for Sweden for the next six months, before returning to international action in 2007. He later retired as arguably the country's greatest player of all time, after amassing 62 goals in 125 appearances.
Samuel Eto'o – Cameroon
Considered one of Africa's all-time greats, Eto'o wrapped up his career in 2019 playing in Qatar, with his final match for Cameroon coming in 2014 as his finished as his nation's all-time top goalscorer. His time on the international stage, however, was not without controversy. In 2012, Eto'o refused a return to the Indomitable Lions, eight months after he was suspended by his country's footballing body for leading a player strike over reported unpaid wages. His move led to the forced cancellation of a friendly against Algeria, but he did eventually make a comeback later that same year, before representing Cameroon at the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
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Adrien Rabiot – France
Gutted at being excluded from France's 2018 World Cup squad, the then-Paris Saint-Germain midfielder stuck it to head coach Didier Deschamps when he refused to be on the team's standby list for the tournament. His decision was met with consequences, such as a public scolding from then-France Football Federation president Noel Le Graet and ostracism from future France selections until he received what he called a "surprise" call-up in 2020. Rabiot, who joined Juventus in 2019, has since been a regular feature for the 2018 world champions, having earned 36 international caps since the incident that threatened to ruin his Les Bleus career.
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