New Delhi: The UEFA Nations League will see 54 teams fighting relegation, promotion, and ultimately winning the trophy as International football returns. Spain, of course, are coming into the tournament with a lot of confidence, having recently won Euro 2024. They are now one of the most dominating teams in World football and will be defending their title.
Germany are a side who were in a revival in the Euro 2024. Although they have had a few of their star players retiring from their squad, they are still a strong side coming into the tournament. This year’s Nation’s League features new rules and dispersion, with 16 teams playing in each of the A, B and C leagues, while six teams will be in the D league.
This is a long tournament, with the knockout round in March 2025 and the final in June 2025. As teams start to kick off their tournament, here are some of the top players who are missing the big tournament.
Alvaro Morata
MUNICH, GERMANY – JULY 09: Alvaro Morata of Spain during the UEFA EURO 2024 semi-final match between Spain v France at Munich Football Arena on July 09, 2024 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images)
The defending champions are missing their captain, Alvaro Morata after the Spanish striker sustained a muscle injury during his debut for AC Milan. Though Morata did feature in the club’s clash against Torino, coming off the bench and even scoring a goal, Spanish manager Luis de la Fuente has ruled out the 31-year-old.
De la Fuente stated that despite rating Morata highly, the Spanish captain wasn’t physically fit to play in the clashes for the team to succeed. Along with Morata, Unai Simon and Mikel Merino are also missing from Spain’s squad.
Steven Bergwijn
Steven Bergwijn (Photo by Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Steve Bergwijn has been dropped from the Netherlands squad for the Nations League after his move to the Saudi Pro-League. Head coach Ronald Koeman mentioned that he doesn’t agree with Bergwijn’s move from Ajax to Al-Ittihad. According to Koeman, the Dutch left-winger’s return to the national side will be impossible with this move.
Along with Bergwijn, Memphis Depay too is missing from the squad after the 30-year-old left as a free agent from Atletico Madrid. Koeman has stated that the reason Depay is missing is simply due to not having a club which in turn means, he isn’t playing football.
Phil Foden
GELSENKIRCHEN, GERMANY – JUNE 30: Phil Foden of England looks on during the UEFA EURO 2024 round of 16 match between England and Slovakia at Arena AufSchalke on June 30, 2024 in Gelsenkirchen, Germany. (Photo by Stefan Matzke – sampics/Getty Images)
Phil Foden hasn’t had the best of Premier League season starts. He has played only 45 minutes out of the three games for Manchester City. City manager Pep Guardiola has mentioned that Foden picked up a stomach virus and hasn’t been well enough to take part in the matches. He was also ruled out of the squad that England will have in place for the Nations League.
Now alongside Foden, his teammates Cole Palmer and Ollie Watkins too have had to pull out of the English squad despite reporting to the St George’s Park. According to a statement from the Football Association, both players have reported back to their respective clubs and are undergoing “rehabilitation” for their respective issues.
DORTMUND, GERMANY – JUNE 15: Nicolo Barella of Italy goal celebrates after scoring his team’s second goal (2-1) during the UEFA EURO 2024 group stage match between Italy and Albania at Football Stadium Dortmund on June 15, 2024 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Crystal Pix/MB Media/Getty Images)
Italian midfielder Barella is going to miss out on playing for the Azzuri side, having recently undergone nose surgery. It has been reported that the Inter Milan player was having breathing issues, which is why the club’s medical team decided to go for surgery, leaving him unavailable for the Nations League.
The surgery was supposed to happen at the start of the break and hence Spalleti had to leave Barella out of the side. Spalletti has left out veteran players Darmian and Francesco Acerbi, out of the squad as the Italian manager wanted to take a young team to be tested in these games.
As the Nations League approaches, here are some of the top players missing from the tournament. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
