Top 10 World Cup Injury Disappointments

18, May, 2010 0 Comments

Top 10 World Cup Injury Disappointments

The World Cup is approaching and we are seeing the usual crop of injuries threatening the appearance in South Africa of some of the worlds best players. So what a good time to have a look back at some of the cruel World Cup injury disappointments of the past.

It’s also interesting in some cases to reflect on who benefited from their unexpected moment in the spotlight.

So lets start with 2010 and work back in time.

South Africa 2010 – David Beckham

Probably would not have been in the starting line up for England, but may have had the chance to play an interesting cameo role. I know there are other candidates who could be included, (Sorry Michael Ballack) but Mr Beckham has previous when it comes to World Cup injuries and this was his last chance. Who had heard of metatarsals before Beckham came on the scene!

Will apparently be on the England coaching staff, you just can’t keep a good man down.

Germany 2006 – Michael Owen

Had severe injury problems before the tournament and was probably, with hindsight, brought back too early. Pulled up with a severe anterior cruciate injury and that was the end of that.

Korea and Japan 2002 – Santiago Canizares

After years of playing second fiddle to Zubizarreta the Valencia shot-stopper was given the number one shirt for 2002. Then he encountered a bottle of aftershave, which, in uncharacteristic style, he dropped against his bathroom sink, with a shard of glass severing a tendon in his big toe. He was rushed to hospital and missed the entire tournament, giving rookie keeper Iker Casillas a chance to make a name for himself with two saves in the penalty shoot-out against the Republic of Ireland in the second round.

United States 1994 – Marco Van Basten

The Dutch striker put himself through hell to try to play a part in Holland’s 1994 World Cup in America. Having last played a year earlier in the Champions League final, van Basten underwent many operations to try to be ready in time to be included in Johan Cruyffs squad. By March of 1994 he had given up the ghost on medical advice, saying: “I know that I will never play soccer again without pain but I also know the day of my comeback is getting nearer.” Sadly he was wrong and quit the game for good in 1995.

Italia 1990 – Bryan Robson

Bryan Robson won 90 caps for England but he would have had so many more were it not for injury. Captain Marvel hit top form in the qualifying campaign for Italia ’90, leading his country for the 50th time in their 5-0 victory over Albania and scoring both goals in a 2-1 win against Yugoslavia.

And there seemed no fitness concerns as he came through England’s opening Group F game with the Republic of Ireland, which ended in a 1-1 draw. But he had been carrying Achilles tendon and toe injuries and they flared up against the Netherlands, forcing boss Bobby Robson into replacing him with David Platt after 64 minutes.

Platt went on to become England’s stand-out performer in their run to the semi-finals and, but for three appearances in 1991, Robson’s international career was over.

Mexico 1986 – Kenny Dalglish

At the age of 35, ‘King Kenny’ was still Scotland’s top player and had just guided Liverpool to a double in his first season as Player/Manager. It was something of a surprise that he withdrew on the eve of the tournament due to a ligament injury. Sir Alex was manager at the time and according to reports, was not best pleased.

Spain 1982 - Kevin Keegan

Keegans chance to appear at a World Cup arrived at last in 1982 after 2 previous failures to qualify. He suffered a chronic back injury shortly before the tournament and was only able to play 26 minutes against Spain, missing a crucial headed chance in that time.

Spain 1982 – Roberto Bettega

Italy may have won in style back in Espana 1982 but they did so without one of their talismanic players – Roberto Bettega. An outstanding forward with Juventus, he picked up a knee ligament injury in a European match – ruling him out of the tournament where the once disgraced Paolo Rossi grabbed all the headlines and the Azzurri won a third World Cup.

England 1966 – Jimmy Greaves

Greaves was first choice striker as the tournament started but suffered an injury against France, he was replaced by a young Geoff Hurst, the rest is history!

Chile 1962 – Alfredo Di Stefano

Perhaps the greatest player to never play in a World Cup finals, Di Stefano represented three different countries but his best chance came in 1962 with his adopted Spain. The Real Madrid legend helped the team to qualify for the tournament but his last shot at glory was ruled out as he picked up a muscular injury during preparations, making him a reluctant spectator once again.

Why not use this as a flimsy excuse to see the great Di Stefano featuring in the amazing 1960 European Cup Final.