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All eyes in the coming weeks will be on the World Cup and the players participating there. We will try to review those who might have been unexpectedly left out of their national teams. Choosing a tactical scheme of 3-5-2, we will put together a team of players who will not be going to the World Cup.
Goalkeeper - Jerzy Dudek (Poland)
Last year's Champions League hero lost his starting spot at Liverpool to Pepe Reina, but no one expected that he would not be called up to the Polish national team. Also missing from the Polish team is "Wolves" forward Tomasz Frankowski, who scored 7 goals in the qualifiers. However, Dudek's absence is undoubtedly the biggest surprise in the Polish team.
Right-back - Daniel Alves (Brazil)
One of the best players at Sevilla this season, D. Alves won the World Youth Championship with the Brazilian youth team in 2003. His good performance in the UEFA Cup-winning team has attracted the attention of giants like "Barcelona" and Real Madrid. The right-back position in the Brazilian national team has been firmly held by Cafu for many years, so the young Sevilla defender struggled to establish himself in the team and will not be going to the World Cup this year.
Left-back - Javier Zanetti (Argentina)
Arguably one of the biggest surprises in the Argentine national team, coach Jose Pekerman's decision not to invite Inter Milan defender Javier Zanetti is surprising. By including him in this symbolic team as a left-back, we just want to emphasize the Argentine's versatility and ability to play practically in any position. Although Zanetti has almost 100 caps for the Argentine national team, it seems that this time Jose Pekerman trusts the youth more, so Javier Zanetti will not be seen in Germany this year.
Centre-back - Phillipe Mexes (France)
Although this defender is not the most famous player not called up to the French national team, many who have seen his excellent play in Italy for Roma might be surprised that P. Mexes will not be representing France in Germany. Especially those who have seen Jean-Alain Boumsong, the defender called up to the team, struggle at Newcastle. National team coach Raymond Domenech did not comment much on his decisions.
Right winger - Shaun Wright-Phillips (England)
Having played well for Manchester City and being touted as one of England's future football stars, Shaun Wright-Phillips did not get many chances to shine in the Chelsea team and did not fit in. The excellent play of Tottenham's young talent Aaron Lennon in the same position this season dashed the hopes of Wright-Phillips representing the England team at the World Cup.
Left winger - Clarence Seedorf (Netherlands)
The veteran of the Dutch national team is still a top-level player. Despite starting 48 games this season in the Inter Milan team, the Dutchman was not even invited to his national team, where he has been one of the main players since 1992.
Defensive midfielder - Edgar Davids (Netherlands)
This season has not been the most successful for Edgar Davids, so it was not very surprising that Dutch national team coach Marco van Basten did not invite this midfielder. However, no one will argue that E. Davids' fighting spirit and will to win could be valuable to the team in difficult moments. Let's not forget that this year was the most successful in the history of Tottenham, where Davids played for the first time.
Defensive midfielder - Ruben Baraja (Spain)
The Valencia midfielder was one of the key players of the national team in the 2004 European Championship, but serious injuries and the good play of Andres Iniesta and Cesc Fabregas this season left no room for this midfielder in the Spanish national team.
Attacking midfielder - Ludovic Giuly (France)
The Frenchman was one of the main players of the Barcelona team this year. Scoring a decisive goal in the Champions League semi-final against AC Milan to lead the team to the final, L. Giuly will not be going to the World Cup. His good performance in this year's Champions League-winning team and one of Europe's strongest teams was not convincing enough for French national team coach Raymond Domenech.
Forward - Fernando Morientes (Spain)
An unsuccessful season at Liverpool cost Fernando Morientes his place in the Spanish national team. With only 9 goals scored this season, the Spaniard scored 26 goals in 43 appearances for the national team, but it was not enough and the Spain team will go to the World Cup with just 3 forwards - David Villa, Fernando Torres, and Raul.
Forward - Roy Makaay (Netherlands)
Representing Bayern Munich, R. Makaay is one of the most consistent players in the team, scoring many goals every season. However, he has never managed to establish himself in the main lineup of the Dutch national team. While hoping to earn a place in the starting lineup this season, instead of the rarely used Ruud van Nistelrooy, R. Makaay was not even called up to the team.
