Is Nedved playing in the World Cup or not?

[keller4president]

Apparently Nedved still hasn't made up his mind or not about whether he will play for the Czech Republic in the World Cup. He skipped out on the entire World Cup Qualifying campaign, save the last two-match playoff against Norway.

From Soccertimes.com:

"While Bruckner is relieved to know Koller should be back, he is less certain on whether Pavel Nedved will suit up in June. The midfielder for Italy's Juventus is still deciding whether he'll join the squad for the World Cup after the 33-year-old retired from the international game in 2004. There is some hope though since he did appear for two of his nation's qualifying matches, both against Norway. Then again, Nedved might opt to save his energy and work as a television commentator, just as he did while covering hockey during the 2006 Winner Olympics in Torino, Italy."

Why does he even have to think about it? Doesn't he realize that this is the biggest stage for soccer? This sort of "holier-than-thou" attitude could negatively effect the team if and when he decides to join them in Germany. But anyone who has to "think" about it doesn't really deserve to go.

[BenfromUSA]

Your the talisman for one of the best sides on the world, and you've never played in the world cup before... is there a better way to spend your energy?

[boniek1982]

Your the talisman for one of the best sides on the world, and you've never played in the world cup before... is there a better way to spend your energy?

I cant believe Nedved would not play. Maybe he's burned out from all those failures at the EuroCup and Champions League level? He's been so close so many times...maybe its just not meant to be for him? If he does become a distraction for the Czechs it would be too bad....but good news for the US.

[AndSomeAreAngels]

Your the talisman for one of the best sides on the world, and you've never played in the world cup before... is there a better way to spend your energy?
Sometimes your body just doesn't agree with your heart/desire. Yes, he may want to go, but he's 33 and has been plagued by injuries the last few years. If he wants to continue to play club soccer, the international game might be something he needs ot sacrifice.

His injury at the 2004 Euro Cup, while it wasn't horrific, certainly set him back a few months. Maybe he wants to avoid the rigor of an international tournament again. I still say he'll end up in Germany, but I can't say I blame him if he opts to stay home.

He probably just sees the writing on the wall, i.e. a first-round exit at the hands of the U.S. :D

[Bjorn Taroque]

The World Cup is indeed the king of international competitions, even if you're in Italy, but it's got to be different in a place where soccer is like the NFL is here.

Club football is what drives the sport day in and day out all around the world, and if you're an aging, oft-injured player, there are probably legitimate reasons to spend your summer resting. That's a bit difficult for us Americans to understand, because the World Cup is so much bigger than any competition we have here, but if you've got a great chance to win the Champions League, maybe it'd be different.

[keller4president]

The World Cup is indeed the king of international competitions, even if you're in Italy, but it's got to be different in a place where soccer is like the NFL is here.

Club football is what drives the sport day in and day out all around the world, and if you're an aging, oft-injured player, there are probably legitimate reasons to spend your summer resting. That's a bit difficult for us Americans to understand, because the World Cup is so much bigger than any competition we have here, but if you've got a great chance to win the Champions League, maybe it'd be different.

I don't buy this argument one bit. Do you see Ronaldinho, Beckham, Niestelroy or any other big name trying to get OUT of playing in the World Cup? These guys die to play on the international stage, no matter how old or banged up they may be. Nedved's never even played in the Cup before...how can he call himself a true competitor if he shuns the biggest stage in his sport?

[Haole]

We we're talking Nedved on another thread and Btleo said he's (Nedved) been quoted as saying WC was his plan.

He's in fine form these days. Taking a ton of tackles and bouncing right back.

I hope he plays. I want to take on CR at full strength.

[The Wanderer2]

Let's hope not but it appears he is.

[ty webb]

I don't buy this argument one bit. Do you see Ronaldinho, Beckham, Niestelroy or any other big name trying to get OUT of playing in the World Cup? These guys die to play on the international stage, no matter how old or banged up they may be. Nedved's never even played in the Cup before...how can he call himself a true competitor if he shuns the biggest stage in his sport?

EXACTLY......

The World Cup is 10 times bigger than any other sporting event in the World. The whole world will be watching the World Cup. Also, the pride of each country is at stake. Most countries will be at an absolute stand still for this month during the tourney.

Nedved should be immediatly drug tested for every banned substance by UEFA and FIFA if he turns down a trip to Germany. This possibility is also laughable considering he would be playing in his first World Cup.

[bltleo]

I looked at czech press and I could not see any press report saying that Nedved would be not nominated or had decided not to play for the world cup.
From earlier press reports about that I already reported at another thread about czech press in the past I mentioned that Nedved said that World cup is for him big challenge. Nedved is already older player. He never played world cup and world cup 2006 is his only chance probably to play for world cup.

Manager of czech national team said at the beginning this year that he could not imagine that Nedved would not nominated for the world cup or that he would not play. For him is Nedved key player of czech national team.

With 35 he will be probably one of the oldest player in the world cup. I don´t think he will play in world cup 2010. It is probably his last chance, big challenge and maybe peak of his career. Dream of any soccer player is to play and win world cup.

I will follow czech press and if I see any interview with Nedved and any news about him, I will let you know.

I think Nedved will play for the world cup.

and Koller has good chance too. He is recovering quicklier as earlier supposed.
So I think we will see both: Koller and Nedved.

bltleo
Germany

[bltleo]

here is also official web-site from Pavel Nedved.
It is in czech language or you can read some post in Italian as well.
There is forum at the web-site. I try to find out more news there and in the press.
http://www.pavelnedved.cz/

and unofficial web-site in English, news in italian language:
http://pavelnedved11.altervista.org/

[7Jam]

What was Nedved doing covering Olympic hockey? Is he related to Petr Nedved?

[OCKlinsmann]

I don't buy this argument one bit. Do you see Ronaldinho, Beckham, Niestelroy or any other big name trying to get OUT of playing in the World Cup?

Older stars like Zidane and Nedved will play in the World Cup; It's pretty clear both of them were trying, albeit somewhat unsucessfully, to avoid the rigors of the qualifying campaigns.

Remember, the second the WC ends, Europeans will begin the qualifying campaigns for Euro 2008, and after Euro 2008 they will begin the WC 2010 qualifying campaigns, there is little if any respite.

It's easy to see why a 30+ old World Class player may want to avoid the all important Faroe Island or Moldovia matches, and allow the 20 - 25 year olds pave the way into the finals. In both the case of France and the Czech Republic they couldn't pull it off without help from the older generation.

[Adam Zebrowski]

nedved will play for the czechs unless he's injured...

let's see the arsenal match to see his current form....

could he ever return to the czech republic if he turned down the national side??

[Bjorn Taroque]

I don't buy this argument one bit. Do you see Ronaldinho, Beckham, Niestelroy or any other big name trying to get OUT of playing in the World Cup? These guys die to play on the international stage, no matter how old or banged up they may be. Nedved's never even played in the Cup before...how can he call himself a true competitor if he shuns the biggest stage in his sport?

But why would a guy like Zizou "retire" then? We could say that he just didn't want to go through the qualifying stages, but give me a break, a guy like Nedved or Zidane can easily tell his coach that he'd rather not play those early campaigns. Any coach worth anything will understand. If Zidane were just trying to get out preliminary qualifying, there'd be no need to "retire" from international football.

[OCKlinsmann]

But why would a guy like Zizou "retire" then? We could say that he just didn't want to go through the qualifying stages, but give me a break, a guy like Nedved or Zidane can easily tell his coach that he'd rather not play those early campaigns. Any coach worth anything will understand. If Zidane were just trying to get out preliminary qualifying, there'd be no need to "retire" from international football.

Answer..... because Zidane, his agent, his club & the Real Madrid's fan base felt their star didn't have the enegry necessary to give 100% to Real Madrid and simultaneously devote matches to the French national side. A side which would probably qualify without him..... That's why.

Keep fans happy, save your body, perform better for club....sell more T-Shirts, do more commercials. Become un-retired after your team qualifys...it happens every WCQ session, Big name players find new ways to avoid Qualifiers.

Players, and their agents , and their club press officers, create ways for star players to miss WC qualification matches. The retirement gig is extreme, but if you are not retired, your coach (whose job is on the line) can call you up, and your club must release you. It's a club versus country issue.

Retirement is a nice strategy to avioid physiical weardown, injuries, and still get to show up for the big dance....by un-retiring. Zindane just had to un-retire a little earlier than planned.

[keller4president]

At least in the case of Zizou retiring, he could say he had already played in and WON a World Cup. He has nothing left to prove, this is just his swan song. But Nedved has NEVER played in a World Cup, and therefore there is really no good reason for the fake retirement. I would argue that his legacy as a player will depend partially on how he performs in Germany. There's a big difference between being a great club player and a great national team player. That is what separates names like Pele, Beckenbauer, Rossi, Maradona, Zidane, and Ronaldo from everybody else.

[OCKlinsmann]

At least in the case of Zizou retiring, he could say he had already played in and WON a World Cup. He has nothing left to prove, this is just his swan song. But Nedved has NEVER played in a World Cup, and therefore there is really no good reason for the fake retirement. I would argue that his legacy as a player will depend partially on how he performs in Germany. There's a big difference between being a great club player and a great national team player. That is what separates names like Pele, Beckenbauer, Rossi, Maradona, Zidane, and Ronaldo from everybody else.

Good point about Zizou, but I think he wants to wash the taste out of his mouth of WC 2002.

[camasterton]

Last time I checked (ha!), the Czech Republic shared about a 400 mile border with Germany. Every Czech Republican who is able, will be at the World Cup, including their greatest player ever. Btw, how many took Claudio Reyna's "retirement from international football" seriously?

[Soccerprep]

I take back everything i posted about the World Baseball Classic. In the post I said no soccer player would ever pass up on the World Cup if they were fit in order to play for their club team. Just shows I can be proven wrong. Although I do not think that I have been yet, as I do believe he will play in the WC.