Didier Drogba. Rio Ferdinand. Michael Ballack. Arjen Robben. Martin Skrtel. Wilson Palacios. John Obi Mikel.
What do these big-name players all have in common? They've succumbed to the dreaded injury bug just days before the World Cup is set to begin.
Back in May, German midfielder Ballack picked up an ankle injury during the FA Cup Final, putting an end to his hopes for the summer.
For Drogba, a high challenge from Japan's Tulio Tanaka left the Ivorian striker with a fractured elbow and his World Cup dreams in limbo.
Robben suffered a hamstring injury in Holland's friendly against Hungary on Saturday.
While England's Ferdinand, Germany's Ballack and Nigeria's Mikel have been ruled out of the World Cup, the others still have a chance to return.
But what does this say about the friendlies being played before the tournament? Is it like preseason in the National Football League and just too many games with chances for injuries? Or is this just an unlucky year for these players? I have no doubt that it's crucial for players to sustain momentum before the competition begins, but a loss such as Drogba's would be a massive loss for not just the Ivory Coast, but the entire tournament because of his significance in Africa.
Sunday, June 6, 2010
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