Euro 2016 is now well underway and the drama is building with every match played, making it all but impossible to predict the Euro 2016 odds. However, for some of Europe’s most talented players this is a bittersweet time, even if their teams are storming the tournament. That’s because many great footballers simply haven’t made it to France thanks to injury, personal disagreements or simply being omitted from their national squads. Let’s take a look at eleven of the players enjoying Euro 2016 from the sofa or the stands.
Claudio Marchisio
With a pass success rate of 85% in Serie A and 81.6% in the UEFA Champions League, this 30-year-old midfielder is a real loss for home team Italy. Out due to ruptured knee ligaments, Marchisio is no doubt cursing his abysmal luck.
Tim Krul
Despite a country full of dedicated fans and a place in the 2014 FIFA World Cup Final against Costa Rica, incredibly Holland didn’t qualify for Euro 16. That’s why this talented goalkeeper will be watching with the rest of his team from an orange sofa…
Karim Benzema
It’s not injury keeping this French striker from representing his country on home ground; rather it’s allegations of blackmail. So, although he’s scored 27 goals in 81 appearances for France since debuting in 2007, this time he won’t even be pulling on his boots.
Dejan Lovren
Having had a fall out with Croatian manager Ante Cacic, Liverpool defender Dejan Lovren will be another absentee at Euro 16.
Santi Cazorla
Arsenal star Santi Cazorla is a Spanish player who has been off the pitch for the majority of the season. An attacking midfielder, the 31-year-old damaged his knee ligaments in a match against Norwich. The injury was so bad that manager Arsene Wenger said he was playing ‘on one leg.’
Luke Shaw
Baby-faced left-back, 20-year-old Luke Shaw endured a devastating double leg break early last autumn, putting him firmly out of action for the important summer tournament.
Dani Carvajal
It’s a hip injury that will keep Dani Carvajal from joining his La Roja teammates in France this year. The Real Madrid star defender left the pitch in tears when he sustained a grade two tear of his hip flexor muscles, which sounds almost as agonising as not being able to play for your country.
Vincent Kompany (Belgium)
Although Belgium will be without the talent of 30-year-old Vincent Kompany thanks to a thigh injury sustained during the Champions League, us viewers will still enjoy his company as the defender will be helping with BCC during coverage of the tournament.
Marco Reus
German attacking midfielder Marco Reus is another great player who has succumbed to the ravages of injury. Across the 43 games he played for Borussia Dortmund this season the 27-year-old achieved an impressive 23 goals, making his absence even harder to bear for his national side.
Kurt Zouma
Despite stepping up his rehabilitation following injury earlier in the year, this French player hasn’t regained strength enough to take him home. The centre-half will be a significant loss for his countrymen.
Ilkay Gundogan
The dislocated kneecap is an agonising injury and that pain must be even harder to stand when it’s keep you from playing in the Euro 2016 tournament. German midfielder Ilkay Gunogan may also find the injury keeps him from making his move from Dortmund to Manchester City.
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