Following the news that the Barcelona goalkeeper has been
ruled out of this summer's showpiece, Goal looks at some of the other
high-profile players who risk sitting out
Victor Valdes' name has been added to the ever-increasing
list of stars set to miss out on this summer's World Cup in Brazil through
injury.
The goalkeeper tore his anterior cruciate ligament in an
innocuous incident during Barcelona's routine 3-0 victory over Celta Vigo on
Wednesday evening, not only ending his season, but his involvement in the Spain
squad as they look to defend their title.
A great number of established names can share in Valdes'
anguish.
Roma confirmed every Dutch football fan's worst fears
when midfielder Kevin Strootman was ruled out the World Cup having torn the
anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in an injury strikingly similar to
that suffered by Valdes.
Strootman, who suffered the problem during Roma's Serie A
defeat to Napoli earlier this month, is not expected to return to the football
field until 2015.
England have already been robbed of the services of
Arsenal winger Theo Walcott. The fleet-footed wideman also ruptured his
anterior cruciate ligament during an FA Cup clash with Tottenham in January,
and will not be on the plane to South America.
His club team-mate Jack Wilshere broke his foot playing
for England againstDenmark last week and may not return to first team action
until the second weekend of May, thus also placing doubts over his
participation in Brazil.
Colombia superstar Radamel Falcao seems unlikely to be
fit in time for the World Cup after tearing his ACL during Monaco's Coupe de
France encounter against Chasselay at the end of January. Although the
forward's rehabilitation is going better than expected, he faces an almighty
race to be ready by June.
Germany trio Holger Badstuber, Ilkay Gundogan and Sami
Khedira also have injury worries. Bayern defender Badstuber has been out with a
cruciate ligament injury since November 2012 and it is still not clear when he
will return.
Dortmund star Gundogan has made just one Bundesliga
appearance this season due to a back complaint and his comeback is also clouded
by uncertainty. There is better news for Khedira who claims he will be back in
Real Madrid training within weeks after rupturing knee ligaments in November,
although he still needs to confirm his form and fitness.
In Italy, Fiorentina forward Giuseppe Rossi's
participation in Brazil seemed doubtful when he suffered a knee injury against
Livorno in January. However the 26-year-old is expected to return to training
in April, giving him the chance to prove his fitness in the final weeks of the
season.
Meanwhile, Portugal will have to make do without teenage
starlet Bruma. The Galatasaray livewire also suffered an ACL injury in January
and will be out for at least six months.
Finally, Japan captain Makoto Hasebe underwent surgery at
the end of last month after injuring his right knee again. It is not yet known
when the Nurnberg player will be ready to return to action, but it is expected
to go right down to the wire.
Culled from Soccerway
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