Are you pumped to see how this year’s Games turn out? Just waiting to watch your favorite national teams and football players go head to head on the playing field this coming June? That’s the energy being felt all over the world. However, for some people whose favorite players have been left out of the 32 23-man teams that will be playing in Russia, it’s not exactly the greatest feeling. Let’s take a look at players from France, Portugal and England’s national teams who so unfortunately, didn’t make the cut.
Joe Hart and Jack Wilshere won’t be in England’s World Cup squad
Goalkeeper Joe Hart who’s won 75 caps has not had a great season. He conceded 39 goals in 19 Premier League games for West Ham where he’s been an on-loan player from Manchester City. Hart has been England’s first choice keeper for the last three huge tournaments; Euro 2012, World Cup 2014, and Euro 2016. His stay at West Ham just came to an end and so did his journey to the World Cup. Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere too didn’t make the cut. The 26-year-old has had an injury-plagued career and made only 36 appearances this season. England has been drawn in Group G and kicks off their World Cup campaign on 18th June facing Tunisia. Team manager Gareth Southgate felt that these two players were simply a risk not worth taking.
Dimitri Payet, Anthony Martial, and Alexandre Lacazette didn’t make it into France’s squad
Marseille midfielder Dimitri Payet suffered an injury during the Europa League final defeat on Wednesday by Atletico Madrid. However, he wasn’t being considered for the World Cup squad even before the injury. Manchester United forward Anthony Martial has won 18 caps and marked France’s first friendly victory over Russia in March. 26-year-old Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette who has won 16 caps the final one in November last year in a 2-2 friendly with Germany. These players didn’t qualify for the France team that is in Group C alongside Denmark, Australia, and Peru.
Portugal manager Fernando Santos says it “hurts” to leave some players of the Euro 2016 winning team behind
Lazio winger Luis Nani is Portugal’s third most capped player right after Ronaldo and Luis Figo. He, however, hasn’t played for his country since last year’s Confederations Cup and won’t be doing so at the World Cup either. Barcelona Midfielder Andre Gomes and Bayer Munich’s Renato Sanches who spent the season on loan at Swansea also didn’t make the cut. Swansea striker Eder who scored the team’s winning goal in extra time against France in Euro 2016 final is not included in France’s squad.
A Vegan Diet with Supplements for Boosted Performance
The football players who will be missing out on the World Cup games this coming June were excluded for reasons mostly surrounding performance. A constructive vegan diet that incorporates supplements like zinc, calcium, iron, omega-3, vitamin B12 and iodine would aid in boosting speed, recovery time, healing from injury, injury avoidance, and overall performance on the field. Get you vegan supplements today for an optimized performance at your sport and in your daily activities.