Great Players who missed a tournament through injury or sth else?

[Gibraldo]

Does anyone know great pleayers, who missed a world cup because he was tragically injured prior to that event or some other reason?

I remember Bojan and Bazdarevic being excluded from WC 1990, the first one by the yugoslavian fa, the later one for spitting a referee in a meaningless game (!?).

[spoonman]

Van Basten (injured) and Gullit (refused) for WC94

[Deise Boy]

Liam Brady missed European Finals in 1988 due to picking up a suspension after being sent off against Bulgaria in the qualifiers , I thought it was the end of the world at the time but my humour returned after we beat England in the first game of the championships !

[jus2nang]

Romário - WC '98
Appiah - CAN '08
Eduardo - EUR '08

[Excape Goat]

Actually, there are too many players to list them all.

Euro 2008
Raul: Despite being the top Spainish scorer in La Liga, he never received a recall.

WC 2002
Emerson: He was the actual capitain, but he injuried his hand playing keeper during practice before the WC.
Romario: He was brought back to the NT during the WCQ, but he was dropped after the WCQ.
Effenberg: He was kicked off the NT since 1994. He would have been in his prime during this WC Finals.
Keane: He was sent home during training camp.....

[Gibraldo]

Didn`t Bergkamp reject WC 1994 because of he is afraid of flying?

[jus2nang]

Didn`t Bergkamp reject WC 1994 because of he is afraid of flying?

Nope. He played in '94 and scored against Brazil IIRC. It was that World Cup where his fear began.

He retired from international football in 2000 because he knew the next tournament in 2002 was in Japan/Korea (which would require flying), but he was old by then anyway.

[Bread Bin]

Didn`t Bergkamp reject WC 1994 because of he is afraid of flying?

Nope. He played in '94 and scored against Brazil IIRC. It was that World Cup where his fear began.

He retired from international football in 2000 because he knew the next tournament in 2002 was in Japan/Korea (which would require flying), but he was old by then anyway.

What a joke...

[dor02]

Liam Brady missed European Finals in 1988 due to picking up a suspension after being sent off against Bulgaria in the qualifiers , I thought it was the end of the world at the time but my humour returned after we beat England in the first game of the championships !Brady didn't go because Jack Charlton wanted players who played during the qualifiers, not players who decided to play for Ireland whenever they pleased.

Appiah - CAN '08
Eduardo - EUR '08They're not great players.

Roberto Bettega for Italy missed the 1982 World Cup due to injury and Alfredo Di Stefano was injured so he couldn't play in any of Spain's 1962 World Cup matches. He might have played if Spain got out of their group though.

Johan Cryuff didn't play at Argentina 78. One reason I've heard is that he didn't want to play in a nation under a dictatorship and another one is that he just wanted to travel abroad less so he could spend time with his family.

Papin didn't play at France 98 but he was 35 anyway and Jacquet wanted younger players.

[spoonman]

Johan Cryuff didn't play at Argentina 78. One reason I've heard is that he didn't want to play in a nation under a dictatorship and another one is that he just wanted to travel abroad less so he could spend time with his family.


Cruijff didn't play because of a kidnap attempt in Barcelona in '77. He and his wife had been tied up and kept at gun point by kidnappers and his house was watched by the police for four months after that. Since then he never played for Oranje

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/cruyff-had-rifle-put-to-my-head-in-failed-kidnap-attempt-810242.html

[MalboroDude]

The whole "great" thing can be very debatable. But here's 2 players who are of considerable weight.

But I don't know if for example Cisse could be there. He is no legend at all. But he is defintely a good, talented and fun to watch player who's had some bad luck.
Cisse suffered his 2nd broken leg just before the 2006 World Cup when playing China in a preparation friendly.

Hugo Sanchez. Playing for Real Madrid getting Pichichis, and he had some very exciting teammates playing in the Mexican National Team. Mexico was out due to some stupidities of the Mexican federation. This was the "could have been, but never was" NT. Great talent.

[dor02]

Cruijff didn't play because of a kidnap attempt in Barcelona in '77. He and his wife had been tied up and kept at gun point by kidnappers and his house was watched by the police for four months after that. Since then he never played for Oranje

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/cruyff-had-rifle-put-to-my-head-in-failed-kidnap-attempt-810242.htmlThanks.

[jus2nang]

Appiah - CAN '08
Eduardo - EUR '08


They're not great players.


Papin didn't play at France 98 but he was 35 anyway and Jacquet wanted younger players.

By African standards, Appiah definately is a great player (and since it's an African tournament he missed, it's relevant).

Ok, I'll give you Eduardo, he can't be considered great (yet?).

Papin was finished by '98, there's no way he could have made an impact, so he wasn't a miss of any sort really.

[Deise Boy]

Brady didn't go because Jack Charlton wanted players who played during the qualifiers, not players who decided to play for Ireland whenever they pleased.

They're not great players.

Roberto Bettega for Italy missed the 1982 World Cup due to injury and Alfredo Di Stefano was injured so he couldn't play in any of Spain's 1962 World Cup matches. He might have played if Spain got out of their group though.

Johan Cryuff didn't play at Argentina 78. One reason I've heard is that he didn't want to play in a nation under a dictatorship and another one is that he just wanted to travel abroad less so he could spend time with his family.

Papin didn't play at France 98 but he was 35 anyway and Jacquet wanted younger players.
I'm afraid you're mixing Liam Brady up with somebody else.
Liam had a clause in his contracts with various clubs that he had to be released for all international fixtures whether competitive or friendlies.
You really should check your facts before you disparage a truly great servant of Irish football !

[dor02]

I'm afraid you're mixing Liam Brady up with somebody else.
Liam had a clause in his contracts with various clubs that he had to be released for all international fixtures whether competitive or friendlies.
You really should check your facts before you disparage a truly great servant of Irish football !I got the player right but the tornament was Italia 90 in which Charlton wanted players who had played in the qualifiers. You were right about his injury and suspension back at Euro 88.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liam_Brady

[Deise Boy]

I got the player right but the tornament was Italia 90 in which Charlton wanted players who had played in the qualifiers. You were right about his injury and suspension back at Euro 88.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liam_Brady
Sorry to correct you again , Liam retired from International football in 1989 and never declared himself available again.
I know as I was at his final match and in any event he was 34 in '90 and carrying an knee injury which ended his career with West Ham in '90

[Gibraldo]

well of course Vidic in 2006.

[dor02]

Sorry to correct you again , Liam retired from International football in 1989 and never declared himself available again.
I know as I was at his final match and in any event he was 34 in '90 and carrying an knee injury which ended his career with West Ham in '90Did you read this part?

He won 72 international caps for the Republic of Ireland, scoring 9 goals, although he never played in a major tournament, thanks to injury and a suspension accrued before Euro 88. During qualification for Italia 90 Brady retired from the international game. Once Ireland qualified he un-retired himself however Jack Charlton decided that those who'd played in the qualifiers deserved to go to Italy.

Do you have any evidence that would prove otherwise?

[johan neeskens]

Cruijff didn't play because of a kidnap attempt in Barcelona in '77. He and his wife had been tied up and kept at gun point by kidnappers and his house was watched by the police for four months after that. Since then he never played for Oranje

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/cruyff-had-rifle-put-to-my-head-in-failed-kidnap-attempt-810242.html

Van Hanegem also refused to join the squad in 1978 but it's still a mystery as to the why.

[Deise Boy]

Did you read this part?



Do you have any evidence that would prove otherwise?
I did'nt have to read anything as I have been an avid supporter of the Irish team since I was a child.
It would appear that you are relying on Wikpedia , not exactly the bible of truth.
Liam retired in 1989 and never declared himself available again - FACT !