World Cup Stars Who Missed the Cut

With so many stars at this year’s World Cup Finals. Here’s 10 players we will miss at this years Finals after failing to make the cut for their countries. And most of these players have divided their countries opinions of how the squads are picked.

Ronaldinho  (Brazil)

He was once the golden boy of Brazilian soccer, but Brazil coach Dunga has left him out of his squad for this Summers Finals in South Africa. Ronaldinho has 87 caps and 32 goals to his name at international level,but he won’t be adding to that if Dunga stays Brazil coach, his off-field partying has added to his down fall. Among his individual awards he’s picked up are 2 Balon d’Or’s, 2004 and 2006 and FIFA Player of the Year twice (2005 and 2006). The AC Milan attacker will be missed by most neutrals.

Ruud Van Nistelrooy  (Holland)

The Hamburg and former Manchester United striker was the ultimate “Fox in the Box” , his scoring prowess was wonderful to watch, Van Nistelrooy managed a goal every second game for Holland, however his reputation alone could not convince Dutch coach Van Marwijk to pick him for the Finals. But any other Country would love to have a player of his calibre in their ranks.

Alexandre Pato (Brazil)

The AC. Milan striker’s off – field partying and subsequent personal problems has been a major factor in Brazil coach Dunga not picking him in the squad. He was Serie A Young Player of the Year in 2009 and was also part of the Brazil squad who won the Confederations Cup in 2009, it’s a shame we won’t get to see him in action in South Africa.

Francesco Totti  (Italy)

The all-time leading goalscorer for Roma  in Serie A, but he will be another player who won’t be in South Africa. Although Totti has only managed 9 goals in 58 international games, I for one would have expected him to make the squad for South Africa. He would have been a great utility man as Italy usually played him as an attacking midfielder while he was just as effective up-front when given the chance to lead the line.

Esteban Cambiasso (Argentina)

Midfielder Cambiasso was a shock absentee from the Argentine World Cup squad, having played a key role in Inter Milan’s Champions League success. How Argentine boss Diego Maradona can name Premier League flop Sebatian Veron ahead of Cambiasso is beyond me.

Javier Zanetti  (Argentina)

Champions League winning captain with Inter Milan this season. However he’s another player not to make the Argentine World Cup squad. Has 126 caps to his name , but Maradona seems to think he’s not good enough to go to South Africa. Should Argentina fail to keep clean-sheets here’s the reason why.

Karim Benzema  (France)

French boss Raymond Domenech left out one of France’s most promising strikers after a poor season at Real Madrid where he played second fiddle to Higuain for the season, but surely he has enough talent to make the squad at least. His involvement in the latest sex scandal to hit French football can’t have helped.

Patrick Viera  (France)

Viera was once the engine which drove the French midfield, but age and injuries have seemingly caught up with him. However it hasn’t stopped current French cheat Thierry Henry from calling on Domenech to re-call his former Arsenal team-mate in to the squad, rumour has it he had a heated argument with Domenech over the matter.

Neymar  (Brazil)

Public opinion in Brazil suggests Neymar should be in the Brazil World Cup squad and even former Brazil legends Pele and Romario are said to have pleaded with Dunga to include him in his squad, but Dunga refused saying he has not shown him any quality when on previous international duty to include him.

Ganso (Brazil)

Like his Santos team-mate, Ganzo has failed to be picked for the Brazil squad by Dunga. Brazil striker Robinho was incensed he wasn’t picked in the squad which suggests this guy does have the ability to play for Brazil even if Dunga has other opinions.