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The World Cup is undoubtedly the pinnacle for many, if not every footballer. The month-long competition is watched all across the globe, with club teammates often going head-to-head while on duty for their respective countries.
But unfortunately for some players, luck often doesn’t go their way, with injuries ruling them out of the world-famous tournament.
Here are five big-name players who are expected to miss the 2022 World Cup through injury:
Diogo Jota
With Cristiano Ronaldo, Rafael Leao and Joao Felix in attack, supported by the likes of Bernardo Silva and Bruno Fernandes, Portugal will undoubtedly have one of the most potent attacks in Qatar.
But that attack has definitely been weakened by the loss of Liverpool forward Diogo Jota, who has been ruled out of the tournament with a calf injury picked up in the recent victory over Manchester City. Jota netted four goals in qualifying and one in the play-offs for Portugal.
After such a good night at Anfield mine ended in the worst way ! In the last minute one of my dreams collapsed 💔
I will be one more supporting from the outside, club and country, and fighting to be back as soon as possible 🙏
You'll Never Walk Alone pic.twitter.com/gKssZSnLZ1— Diogo Jota (@DiogoJota18) October 18, 2022
Reece James
Gareth Southgate’s England right-back headache may have been made easier in recent weeks, with Chelsea defender Reece James currently sidelined with a knee injury. He picked it up in the recent Champions League victory over AC Milan, with the Blues confirming he is expected to be out for eight weeks.
Man City right-back Kyle Walker also faces a race against time for the World Cup, having picked up a groin injury in the Manchester Derby at the beginning of the month. Walker does, however, seemingly have a quicker path to recovery than fellow right-back James.
N’Golo Kante
Another Chelsea player that looks set to miss the 2022 World Cup is France midfielder N’Golo Kante. He started the first two games of the new Premier League campaign, but hasn’t featured since then due to a hamstring injury.
Chelsea recently confirmed their energetic midfielder has undergone an operation on that injury, and is expected to be out of action in the months to come. Kante played a key role for Les Bleus as they lifted the World Cup trophy in 2018.
Paul Pogba
France could also be without another of their star midfielders at the 2022 World Cup in Paul Pogba, with the former Manchester United man missing the whole season so far through a knee injury. He limped out of a Juventus training session in the summer, and is yet to feature for the Serie A side in the new campaign.
Pogba has, however, recently returned to Juventus training, but it remains to be seen whether France boss Didier Deschamps will take a chance on someone who has played very little football this season.
Paulo Dybala
Like Portugal, Argentina are also blessed with a talented frontline, led by a certain Lionel Messi. Man City’s Julian Alvarez and Inter Milan’s Lautaro Martinez are also in the mix. But the South American side are currently waiting to hear further news on Roma star Paulo Dybala, who is also sidelined with a hamstring injury.
The striker pulled up in the 50th minute in a league game against Lecce, feeling pain in his leg after converting a penalty just minutes before. The current prognosis is reportedly a four-six week layoff.
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