The European Championships feature a collection of world class talents from various teams across the continent. The tournament gives the continent’s best players the chance to showcase their talents in one of international football’s most prestigious tournaments.
Participant teams wrap their star players in cotton wool to ensure optimum fitness and peak performance levels during the course of the tournament in order to have the best possible chance for European glory.
While most countries will be taking all of their stars to the Euros, a few nations have left some of their players behind. As the teams prepare for the championships at their respective training bases, a few players who could have made huge difference to their countries hopes will be watching from home instead.
We list five players who countries might regret not picking for their Euro 2016 squads.
1) Karim Benzema (France)
The French striker of Algerian descent has been left out of France’s final 23 man squad for the Euros after allegedly being involved in a conspiracy to blackmail fellow French international Mathieu Valbuena over a sex-tape.
The Frenchman had one of the best seasons of his career with Real Madrid, scoring 28 goals and would have been France’s chief goal threat had he been selected. Benzema’s involvement in the scandal was murky and he had been cleared to be selected for France.
Despite his prolific season and the authorities giving the green light for his selection, Benzema was not picked for the tournament after the French Prime Minister felt that his selection would be detrimental to the harmony in the squad.
France’s Euro hopes now lie in the hands of Arsenal’s Olivier Giroud, who scored 24 goals last season. While this should not deter the nation’s hopes, Giroud is nowhere as mobile as Benzema and is not the same menace to defences. France will hope that the wildly inconsistent Giroud produces one of his purple patches of form. If not, they will regret not picking Benzema for the tournament.
2) Andrea Pirlo (Italy)
The Italian midfielder’s decision to play in the MLS with New York City FC counted against him when Antonio Conte was picking the Italian squad for the European Championships. Pirlo has been the lynchpin of the Italian midfield for over a decade until he was dropped for the Euros.
The 37-year old is gifted with vision and the technical ability to pass the ball that few footballers on the planet possess. Carlo Ancelotti once said about him, “Pirlo spots a pass in a split-second that lesser players could spend a whole lifetime waiting to see.”
His languid, almost lazy style of play is often misleading but there is no doubting his effectiveness on the pitch inspite of his age and reduced mobility. Pirlo’s performances in the 2012 Euros were vital in Italy reaching the finals four years ago. He also produced one of European Championships classic moments with his Panenka penalty over Joe Hart in the quarter-final penalty shootout against England.
While Pirlo may be getting on in years, his experience and leadership on the pitch would have been a great asset to Italy’s new look side for the European Championships.
3) Fernando Torres (Spain)
Fernando Torres has experienced a resurgence this past season, on loan at Atletico Madrid from Italian club AC Milan. His goals helped Atleti reach the final of the UEFA Champions League and finish third place in the La Liga after competing for top honours throughout the season.
Torres has not played for the national team since being picked for Spain’s final group game match in the 2014 World Cup with coach Vicente Del Bosque opting for a new look side post the World Cup debacle.
Big occasions seem to get the best out of El Nino, scoring crucial goals on the way to winning the Euro in 2008 and 2012, as well as the World Cup in 2010, completing a hat-trick of titles for Spain. He also won the award for the top scorer at the Euros in 2012.
Torres’ penchant for the big stage and international tournament experience could have come in handy to a young Spanish side trying to live up to the legacy left behind by the Spanish generation. Aged 32, it would have also given Torres a final chance to redeem himself on the international stage.
4) Sebastian Giovinco (Italy)
Consistent with Antonio Conte’s snub to Italian MLS stars, the 29-year old striker was left out of Italy’s provisional 30-man squad along with Andrea Pirlo. Even though he plays in a relatively inferior league, his form was good enough to have been in the Italian squad.
Giovinco scored 22 goals in 33 games for Toronto FC last season and won the MLS MVP (Most Valuable Player), and Golden Boot. He was also the top-assist provider for the club last season. The Italian has also broken the all-time goal-scoring record at Toronto FC with his 30 goals in 46 games.
Giovinco could have added another dimension to Italy’s attack with his pace and Conte could regret not having him in France to provide that option.
5) Saul Niguez (Spain)
Saul is one of the emerging crop of young Spanish midfielders along with Real Madrid star Isco to have been dropped from the Spanish squad by Vicente Del Bosque for Euro 2016.
The Atletico Madrid man played a major role in Atletico’s run to the Champions League final scoring a sublime goal in the semi-final where they defeated Bayern Munich. Saul skipped past four Bayern defenders and slotted the ball past Manuel Neuer to score the goal which put Atletico Madrid ahead.
Saul’s ability to play either in centre of midfield or as a defensive wide-man could have been a wildcard for Spain as his steel and versatility would have provided Vicente Del Bosque the flexibility to switch tactics.
