With the 2022 FIFA World Cup just days away from getting underway, here are 10 high-profile footballers who will not be representing their countries at the tournament.
Ramos Speaks After Spain World Cup Snub
Some big names will be absent from the showpiece in Qatar through injury, with the scheduling of the competition in the middle of the 2022/23 season having drawn heaps of criticism from coaches, supporters and players around the globe.
Others, however, were not selected for their respective national squads, such as Spanish legend Sergio Ramos, who will miss out on an opportunity to compete in his fifth FIFA World Cup.
Joining the 36-year-old Ramos on the list of players overlooked by manager Luis Enrique is Manchester United shot-stopper David de Gea, whose form suffered a major dip following the World Cup in Russia four years ago.
The 32-year-old, though, has been impressive in recent weeks at club level, but did not quite do enough to convince Enrique that he is worthy of a place in La Roja Furia's 26-man squad headed to the Middle East.
Liverpool midfielder Thiago was also left out by Enrique, while his club teammate Roberto Firmino was arguably the most popular Brazil international denied a World Cup spot this year by manager Tite.
Below are more players who won't be heading to the World Cup this year:
You must be SIGNED IN to read and post comments
WATCH VIDEO: