With the World Cup on the horizon, there is a lot of excitement surrounding the biggest names in football being at the tournament like Messi, Lewandowski and Ronaldo. But there are also, plenty of stars who will be absent from Qatar 2022.
5. David Alaba – Real Madrid & Austria
The centre back has had a decorated domestic career, winning the quadruple in his debut season at the Bernabeu under Carlo Ancelotti. However, Austria have never been to the World Cup, depriving us of witnessing the defensive flair of one of the best centre-backs in the world recently. He’s played 96 times for his country, and first captained his country at Euro 2022, where they finished in the knockout stages.
4. Luis Diaz – Liverpool & Colombia
The Colombian’s four goals in five appearances, during his first Copa America in 2021, guided his side to the semi-finals. He missed out on the World Cup by a single point, as his nation finished sixth in qualifying behind Peru. Although, even if Colombia had reached the tournament, Diaz recently picked up a knee injury against Arsenal that has ruled him out for up to six months.
3. Gianluigi Donnarumma – Paris Saint Germain & Italy
A shock last gasp defeat to North Macedonia, denied the European champions reaching the World Cup for the second time in a row. Donnarumma was the golden glove winner at Euro 2022, and he cemented a first team place for the French champions ahead of Keylor Navas. However, annoyingly for the 49-time capped goalkeeper it is his teammate Navas who is on the plane to Qatar.
2. Erling Braut Haaland – Manchester City & Norway
Norway have not qualified for a tournament since Euro 2000, meaning we are yet to witness the inhumane goalscoring capabilities of Haaland for his country. Pep Guardiola will be delighted his talisman is remaining at home for the World Cup, as he will have full fitness to add to his 17goals in 11 league games this season. It’s hard to believe we can’t compare the 22-year-old against the world’s best like Messi, Mbappe and Lewandowski this winter.
1. Mohamed Salah – Liverpool & Egypt
Salah’s debut World Cup in 2018, was ruined by his shoulder injury sustained in the Champions League final. The chance to go to Qatar for redemption was in his own hands; but he missed a fatal penalty in Egypt’s shootout loss to Africa Cup of Nations winners Senegal. His record of 42 goals in 52 games for the Pharaohs is incredible, and its unthinkable Liverpool’s magician won’t be adding to those stats this winter.
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