Let’s look back at those who were unlucky.
Paulo Dybala (Argentina)
Dybala chose Roma because he did not settle a new contract with Juventus. Initially thought there would be more demand for his services, but he still needs to reach an agreement with Inter. Paulo has now picked up an injury against Lecce, and Mourinho has indicated that Paulo is unlikely to play this calendar year again. Understandably, in a national team with Alvarez, Lautaro, Messi and Di Maria, not counting all the other forwards, Dibala would not have a central role. But his injury is a chance for guys like Simeone’s son. It’s a pity for Paulo, a talented youngster who didn’t reach his full potential, and now he’s 28 and in a team that’s not favourites to win the Scudetto.
Paul Pogba (France)
If Dybala is just a famous guy whose dreams are ruined by injury, then Pogba is a world champion and a key player for the French national team. Paul returned to Juventus after a series of controversial seasons at Man Utd, but he is as important to Deschamps as Kante. Of course, the rise of Real Madrid’s Tchouameni and Camavinga and the inexhaustible flow of quality players from Ligue 1 will not leave the French with just Rabiot at centre-back. Still, injuries of Kante and Pogba have alarmed Deschamps. They performed poorly in the Nations League and now expect Ngolo on the field, while Pogba is in no hurry to be predicted. Paul has argued with his brother – accusing him of blackmailing him; in return, he has received accusations that the Juventus player has hired a shaman to curse Mbappe. The question on everyone’s lips is whether Pogba will recover quickly and gain form to play for a chance of winning the biggest trophy in football. Theoretically, he still has time.
Marco Reus (Germany)
It’s no surprise to see Reus in this company, but let’s be a little hopeful straight away – the initial predictions were wrong. It is likely that Marco, who has missed significant tournaments more than once in his career due to injury, including a winning World Cup, should be in the squad this time. Before his injury, the veteran played at Borussia Dortmund, not perfectly, but quite productively – 2 goals and 2 assists in 7 Bundesliga rounds. Understandably, other attacking players are emerging, but the 33-year-old veteran hopes to be included in the squad.
Ronald Araujo (Uruguay)
Sadly, such a talented, promising, excellent defender was injured. It’s even more unfortunate that the club cut down his decision to choose conservative treatment. Ronald was willing to risk because his dream was to represent Uruguay at the World Cup. But Barcelona believes that since they are paying for the defender’s job, they should select the most reliable way to solve the problem – an operation. Araujo was successfully treated in Finland and now has his fingers crossed. Only a miracle will help the centre-back, who can also play on the right, but Ronald is counting on him. The doctors have had a successful operation, and he may be back sooner than three months.
Emile Smith Rowe (England)
Smith Rowe was listed as the best young player in the EPL in the summer, considering Arsenal were much worse last season in terms of results and play than they are now. Though the national team is highly competitive, when such a talent gets injured, it is logical to include him in the list of losses for the World Cup. With England being feverish, Southgate needs a choice. And right now, he has Maguire on the bench at MU; Stones, Walker and Phillips have had health problems and the form of Alexander-Arnold forces him to look for players in other positions. Saka and Mount will help, but Smith Rowe is an option.
Wesley Fofana (France)
It was revealed a few days earlier that the Chelsea defender, seemingly the most expensive defensive player in football history, will miss 4 to 6 weeks. A sprained knee ligament has combined with purely playing problems. After moving from Leicester, he came to a team where the head coach was changed. There was competition and mistakes, for example, in Zagreb. Fofana is not started perfectly, although he could be helpful for the French national team, where there are also many options, but only some people are in peak form. If Varane plays not every match at Man Utd, Deschamps needs all of them. We hope Wesley will be fit and ready in time for the start of the 2022 World Cup.
Georginho Wijnaldum (Netherlands)
And here’s where it’s for sure – the experienced midfielder won’t help van Gaal at the World Cup. Liverpool underestimated Georginho when they decided to part ways. Klopp is losing and needs more strong men in the field centre. No use of him in Paris. He moved to Rome to join Mourinho but had no luck with the Wolves. Spinazollo getting injured during Euro 2020 – at least he won the tournament. Zagnolo was injured, but Italy will not be at the World Cup, so the Roma midfielder cannot travel to Qatar because of his health.
Florian Wirz (Germany)
While Reus may not be included in the bid due to age and competition, the central figure in Bayer, now led by the promising Xabi Alonso, is a clear candidate for a trip to the 2022 World Cup. He is also a candidate for the title of Germany’s best young player alongside Musiala. The German’s base isn’t flexible, but when Florian was in form before the injury that knocked him out for a very long time, he seemed the most talented and exciting player in the whole of Germany. Let Flick take only a few world champions to Qatar; he needs new heroes. We hope Wirz will make a successful return to Bayer’s starting line-up and we will see him on the Qatar fields.
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