World Cup: 5 Stars Who Were Sent Home in Disgrace by their National Teams

The World Cup is arguably football's prime competition. Forget about competing for the trophy, just playing and representing their country is a dream come true for many.

Numerous players don't have the opportunity of playing elite European football and the World Cup is the biggest stage they get to play on. However, certain players were not able to understand the magnitude and honour of playing in this tournament.

Nikola Kalinic is one such player, as the Croatia striker allegedly refused to come on as a substitute in their opener against Nigeria in Russia. He cited an injury as the reason, but coach Zlatko Dalic deemed that reason unsatisfactory and expelled Kalinic from his squad.

Many players over the years have had to endure similar situations and more often than not due to their own fault. Here are 5 players who were sent home from the World Cup.

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#1 Nikola Kalinic (Croatia) - 2018 World Cup

In what has been the biggest controversy until now in Russia, Croatian Kalinic was sent home recently by his coach Zlatko Dalic. The Fiorentina striker was told by his coach to warm up for a substitute appearance against Nigeria but Kalinic refused to do so. He cited a back issue as the reason which Dalic did not buy.

A similar incident had happened during a friendly against Brazil as well as in a training session. Dalic consulted with his coaching staff and then took the decision to send Kalinic packing.

Mario Mandzukic is currently the first-choice striker for Croatia and Ante Rebic and Andrej Kramaric are used in support. Kalinic has dropped out of favour and last started a game for his nation in 2017.

Croatia must now play the rest of the World Cup with 22 players as replacements are not permitted at this stage.

#4 Stefan Effenberg (Germany) - 1994 World Cup

Effenberg was sent home due to his vile behaviour

Effenberg was a German midfielder who was part of the squad in the 1994 World Cup. The Germans were playing South Korea on a very hot day in Dallas and the match was intense.

The Germans initially led 3-0, but the Koreans scored two and made it a close game. Germany needed the win and they eventually got it, however, the heat and the intensity went to Effenberg's head.

While leaving the pitch, he made an obscene gesture towards the German fans. Coach Berti Vogts was furious and sent Effenberg packing immediately. Effenberg had a history of controversy and this was the biggest of them all.

"I overreacted," he said. "I don't regret it. But when I look back I am sorry. But it was 50 degrees Celsius. I was playing for Germany at the World Cup for a place in the second round."

Many of his teammates disagreed with the punishment but the decision was final. Germany eventually lost to Bulgaria in the quarter-finals. This incident all but ended Effenberg's international career, as he made just two appearances after that infamous incident.

#3 Roy Keane (Ireland) - 2002 World Cup

Keane's short temper ended his World Cup

Keane was the captain of the Ireland squad going into the 2002 World Cup but he did not make it to the tournament in South Korea and Japan as it turned out.

Prior to 2002, Keane had voiced his frustration many times regarding the lack of training facilities, dietary facilities, and the travel arrangements as well. He had also publicly criticised former coach Jack Charlton and Mick McCarthy, who was the coach in 2002.

The Irish preparations for the World Cup were carried out on the island of Saipan. Unhappy with the state of preparations, Keane gave an interview stating all the faults and why he was thinking of leaving the squad.

After the interview was published, it led to a confrontation in the locker room between McCarthy and Keane. Keane directed scathing words at his manager, many of which cannot be repeated here. Furious, he criticised McCarthy the coach and McCarthy the man and left the team.

He could not mend his personal relations and ultimately missed the World Cup. In 2013, Keane said that he regretted his decision and should have played for his country. Ireland lost to Spain in the Round of 16 in Keane's absence.

#2 Nicolas Anelka (France) - 2010 World Cup

Anelka endured disappointment in South Africa

Anelka was part of a French squad that was in rebuilding mode prior to the 2010 World Cup. He was coming off a fine season with Chelsea but he failed to reproduce any of that form in South Africa.

The incident that caused an uproar occurred during half-time of a group match against Mexico. France needed to win to have any hopes of qualifying and coach Raymond Domenech criticised Anelka after an insipid performance.

Anelka exploded and let go verbally at Domenech, which made him substitute the striker. This bust-up was seen as an outburst to represent growing discontent in the French camp against their coach.

Numerous senior players had allegedly lost their confidence in Domenech and it showed in the results as France finished last in their group with just one point. Les Blues had reached the final in 2006 and massively disappointed in 2010.

Post the World Cup, Anelka was banned for 18 games by the French Football Federation which spelled the end of his international career. Over a career spanning 12 years, he made 69 appearances for France, scoring 14 goals.

#1 Diego Maradona (Argentina) - 1994 World Cup

Maradona was far from his best in 1994

The Argentine legend was playing in his fourth World Cup in 1994 in what were testing times for Maradona. He had led his country to the title in 1986 and they reached the final in the 1990 tournament as well.

However, in 1994, a cloud of scrutiny surrounded Maradona. He was suspended by FIFA in 1991 for more than a year for the use of cocaine while playing for Napoli in Italy. Furthermore, he faced a lawsuit in Argentina after he had injured four reporters with a gun outside his home.

Maradona played the first two games, recording a goal and assist as Argentina won both. He was banned after those two games, and Argentina bowed out in the second round against an unheralded Romania.

The 1994 World Cup was viewed as many as a chance for redemption for Maradona after his problems with drug use and legal troubles. He had dropped from the status of Europe's elite players and a successful tournament could have changed that.

That was not to be as the 1994 World Cup is seen as a blemish on an otherwise glorious national career.