French superstar Frank Ribery, and German star Marco Reus are the latest key players to join the growing list of big names missing from the World Cup 2014 due to injury.
Like South Africa 2010, the list of injured big name players is growing by the day. Russian Captain Shirokov, Reus & Ribery are the latest names to join the growing list which already included the likes of Falcao (Colombia) Montolivo (Italy) Walcott (England) Gundogan, Bender (both brothers) & Gomez (Germany), Montes (Mexico), Holland's Strootman & Van der Vaart & Thiago Alcantara (Spain).
On top of that many European based players, are struggling to shake off niggling injuries after yet another big European season.
Whilst Marco Reus got injured this morning in a warm up match vs Armenia, the intensely competitive & crowded European calendar is directly responsible for the likes of Diego Costa, Ronaldo, Germany's Schweinsteiger, Lahm & Neuer who re all struggling with injury & fatigue & racing against time to be fully fit for the World Cup.
This is a shame for both fans & teams' prospects as world class players fail to appear in the game's international showcase.
Marco Reus's injury is a huge blow to Germany's prospects in Brazil. The German coach Low, has chosen only one out & out striker in final 23 & instead relies on the likes of Reus to provide the creativity & goals. Germany were hit with the injury of their Captain & playmaker Michael Ballack (in FA Cup final) just before the 2010 World Cup & missed his presence in the tight semi final vs Spain in 2010. Whilst Reus may not be of the same stature & influence, I have no doubt Germany will miss his goalscoring talents & his injury is a massive blow to the team's confidence.
Low however, in a show of defiance has called up inexperienced defender Mustafi to replace Reus therefore suggesting that he believes the likes of Muller, Ozil, Podolski, Goetze, Draxler, Schurlle & Schweinsteger are more than capable of doing the job for him. At least on paper, he may be right!
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