Stars we won’t see this Euro

As Euro 2016 kicks off in France giving us one more reason to have sleepless nights, it is a mind-boggling list of stars that we’re going to encounter in the tournament battling it out for Europe’s most coveted championship on the international level.

Wayne Rooney, Dmitri Payet, Jamie Vardy, Paul Pogba, Cristiano Ronaldo, Eden Hazard, Mesut Ozil, Gareth Bale,Robert Lewandowski… Phew… the list goes on and on.

However, like every time, there are a bunch of magnificent stars that would not the on the pitch this year owing to injuries. Some very household names would be Belgium’s Vincent Kompany, France’s Raphael Varane and Germany’s Marco Reus.

One can’t help being injured at the right time except ruing their luck. The worst would be not getting selected even after performing well. Here are few players who have kept you at the edge of your seat by their football magic but would not feature this time around.

Hatem Ben Arfa– Go to Youtube and search ‘Hatem Ben Arfa solo goals’. You are sure to be wonderstruck by this player’s ability to turn, swing and dodge past defenders at his will. He makes defenders and goalkeepers look helpless. But such is the team depth of France this year that players like him have to sit back giving way to the likes of Antoine Griezmann, Anthony Martial and Dimitri Payet.

Scoring 18 goals in 36 appearances being an attacking midfielder has not prompted his return to the international scene since the 2-0 friendly loss to England last November.

Danny Drinkwater– Surprise talent- tick, enough experience- tick, league champion- tick… After playing a key role in Leicester’s Premier League title-winning success this season and being named the man of the match on his international debut in the 2-1 friendly defeat against the Netherlands in March, his omission was shocking. It also led to some fans on media vent their anger at the team manager, who took Jack Wilshere over Drinkwater.

Javi Martinez– A perfectly disciplined midfielder/defender for Spain. He is known for his consistency and no-nonsense football playing. Of course, he had his share of injuries that prevented him from playing regularly for his club. Munich. But he still remains a high-profile absentee.

The 27-year-old made 27 appearances for Bayern Munich this season as the German side won a domestic double and reached the semi-finals of the Champions League.

Isco- Like France’s abundant team depth, Spain has a plethora of quality in its squad. Isco’s omission clearly shows it. Isco comes shortly after helping Real Madrid win the Champions League and has been a regular for his country during qualifying for France and has made 43 appearances for Real this season. The inclusion of Atletico Madrid’s Koke and Isco’s club-mate Lucas Vazquez has cost him his place.

Karim Benzema– Another Champions league winner like Isco, this 28-year-old striker has suffered for matters off the pitch rather than on it. His record of 28 goals in 36 games this season for Real Madrid is enough to warrant inclusion in the France squad. However, he has been excluded following his implication in an alleged attempt by one of his friends to blackmail international team-mate Mathieu Valbuena over a sex tape.

Mario Balotelli– We all remember the beast of Italy. A very colourful character for his unique goal celebrations and off the pitch brawls. There is now doubt he poses a great threat in front of the goal with his right leg and superior physical prowess. The forward was one of the stars of Euro 2012, scoring three goals to help Italy reach the final, but his career has stalled since then.

However, three goals in 23 appearances in his second loan spell at AC Milan. He has to do something about it and fast.