World Cup 2010: The 23-Man Rejects Squad
Goal.com has put together the best 23 players in the world not to play in the summer's biggest single-sports event.....
May 12, 2010 4:53:00 PM
The national teams featuring in the World Cup 2010 finals in South Africa this summer have announced their provisional squads. Most sides have named 30 players in their national teams, while Brazil coach Dunga has declared his final squad for the mega event set to start in June.
However, there have been some glaring omissions in the big sides. Brazilian legends Ronaldinho and Ronaldo, as well as up and coming star Alexandre Pato, have been not been selected for their national side, while Esteban Cambiasso and Javier Zanetti have been overlooked by Argentina coach Diego Armando Maradona.
France national team coach Raymond Domenech has controversially left out Karim Benzema, Patrick Vieira and Samir Nasri, while Ruud van Nistelrooy will have to stay at home and watch the Dutch national team fight for the most prestigious trophy in world football after being left out of the squad by coach Bert van Marwijk.
Goal.com experts from around the world have put together a 23-man squad that is comprised solely of the World Cup rejects. Staying with the spirit, we have decided to 'announce' a total of 28 players in our squad.
Please note that the below players are omissions, and not injuries or those who have explicitly rejected call-ups such as Alessandro Nesta.
Goalkeepers (3)
Sebastien Frey (France)
Diego Alves (Brazil)
Marco Storari (Italy)
Defenders (6)
Javier Zanetti (Argentina)
Philippe Mexes (France)
Alex (Brazil)
Ezequiel Garay (Argentina)
Sol Campbell (England)
Marcelo (Brazil)
Midfielders (8)
Jeremy Menez (France)
Samir Nasri (France)
Esteban Cambiasso (Argentina)
Juan Riquelme (Argentina)
Ever Banega (Argentina)
Ronaldinho (Brazil)
Diego (Brazil)
Guti (Spain)
Forwards (6)
Karim Benzema (France)
Kevin Kuranyi (Germany)
Ruud Van Nistelrooy (Netherlands)
Francesco Totti (Italy)
Antonio Cassano (Italy)
Pato (Brazil)
Stand-By (5)
Fabrizio Miccoli (Italy)
Pedro Leon (Spain)
Patrick Vieira (France)
Aly Cissokho (France)
Owen Hargreaves (England)
