The 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia is less than six weeks away and all the football fans over the globe are getting excited for the biggest sporting tournament in the world. While some players will be spending the following month and a half in an anxious race to be fit to start their country's opening game.
We finally know the 32 teams that will take part at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. Not everyone had a happy end to the qualification cycle, While some players are looking forward to the event to start, there are some that won't be that lucky. Injuries are really frustrating for the players, especially when it happens before the World Cup, but hey, there isn't much they can do about that.
Here is the list of 10 players who could miss the event due to their unfortunate injuries.
CAPTION: Neymar da Silva Santos Júnio SOURCE: The Hale Telescope In 2014 World Cup, Neymar was ruled out in the all-important match against Germany which they lost 7-1. Unfortunately, after suffering a broken metatarsal injury, it seems that the 26-year-old would not play for Brazil this year. While all the Brazilian fans will be hoping that their star player is all fit and ready to board the plane to Russia for the mega tournament, it is still very much under doubt.
CAPTION: Manuel Neuer SOURCE: GOAl.com The former world No 1 goalkeeper Manuel Neuer has been out for seven months due to a metatarsal injury. The Bayern Munich keeper returned back to training for the first time on 20th April but despite all his effort, the 32-year-old seems very unlikely to play in Russia for 2018 World Cup.
CAPTION: Sergio Agüero SOURCE: Manchester City Sergio Aguero underwent knee surgery in April and has been ruled out for the remaining season of the Premier League and he is currently facing a fight to be fit for the World Cup. Manchester City's manager Guardiola says that he might miss few of the earlier games but if everything goes accordingly, the striker may be back doing what he does best.
CAPTION: Jerome Boateng playing for Bayern Munich SOURCE: talkSPORT The heart of the German defense, Jerome Boateng picked up a thigh injury against Real Madrid in a 2-1 first leg Champions League defeat. Reports indicated that the player injured an adductor muscle in his left thigh and could be sidelined for six to eight weeks. Thus, his dream of playing for Germany in the World Cup hangs in the thin air.
CAPTION: Alex Oxlade Chamberlain for Liverpool F.C. SOURCE: The Independent The England midfielder Alex Oxlade Chamberlain sustained a knee ligament damage during Liverpool’s Champions League semi-final first-leg win at Anfield. The injury represents a severe setback for the England manager Gareth Southgate, who was told of the news in a call from Oxlade-Chamberlain. The extent of the injury means he is set to miss the remainder of the campaign for Liverpool, as well as the World Cup finals in Russia with England.
CAPTION: Michy Batshuayi playing for Dortmund SOURCE: Talk SPORT With so much confidence Michy Batshuayi was doing so well with Borussia Dortmund but as he suffered a ligament damage to his ankle which will see him out for this season. He hopes that he can be fit for the World Cup this summer but the Belgian striker most likely seems to miss out the 2018 World Cup.
CAPTION: Gylfi Sigurdsson for Everton SOURCE: Yahoo Sport UK The key player of Iceland in the Euro 2016, Gylfi Sigurdsson picked up a knee injury while playing against Brighton has been ruled out for rest of the season. The Everton's midfielder is undergoing treatment as tests reveal that he may be sidelined for seven to nine weeks. We hope that he recovers in time to show his form in the World Cup as he did before.
CAPTION: Laurent Koscielny SOURCE: Sky Sports The 32-year-old French defender Laurent Koscielny ruptured his Achilles tendon early in Arsenal’s Europa League semi-final second leg defeat by Atletico Madrid last week. Arenal's captain Laurent Koscielny has been ruled out for six months after undergoing surgery on his ankle, completely ending his chances of playing in the 2018 World Cup this summer with France.
CAPTION: John Stones for Manchester City SOURCE: Daily Express The defender for Manchester City F.C. John Stones suffered a concussion while playing a friendly against Italy and later picked up another injury while training. Stone, who was considered as one of the best back 3 English defenders will miss the World Cup and England is sure to miss his presence.
CAPTION: Lucas Biglia playing for A.C. Milan SOURCE: Celebrity Hairstyles The 32-year-old Argentian, A.C Milan player Lucas Biglia suffered a severe back injury while playing against Benevento and was taken off right away. Milan later said that Biglia had suffered a severe lumbar trauma and further medical examinations are taking place but the player will miss out what was supposed to be his last World Cup.
