The official deadline for international managers to submit their 23-man Euro 2016 rosters is May 31, but many have already been finalized, and we can begin to have an idea about what the teams will look like. Specifically, we can see the players who were left out entirely, perhaps unfairly. With that in mind, here are five of the biggest snubs from the Euro 2016 squads.
England - Jermain Defoe
Fernando Torres, Diego Costa and Juan Mata have all been omitted from Spain’s 25-man provisional Euro 2016 squad by manager Vincente del Bosque. In Torres and Mata, Spain have elected to drop players who’ve combined for 151 appearances, 48 goals, three European championships, and two World Cup winner’s medals.
Costa suffered a hamstring injury during Chelsea’s 1-1 draw with Liverpool on May 11, putting his participation immediately in doubt. Costa’s consistent hamstring troubles, coupled with his subpar form this season, have seen him lose his place in the squad.
Have you ever felt like the world was stacked against you? Do you think that sometimes things are just not meant to happen? Have you ever travelled 3,170 miles in order to watch your favorite team play, only for a bomb scare to cause the match to be abandoned?
If you have, chances are your name is Moses, or you are delusional.
Sweden have revealed their 23-man roster for this summer’s European Championship in France, and it’s clear that Zlatan Ibrahimovic will have to be at his very best if the Swedes are to maintain any hope of advancing from a very difficult Group E.
The Chagos Islands National Team have started an IndieGoGo campaign to help fund their team's trip to the ConIFA World Cup. The ConIFA World Cup is a tournament that allows non-FIFA recognized or exiled nations the chance to compete for a global prize.
Jesus "Tecatito" Corona is nicknamed after a famous Mexican beer. His play lives up to that nickname as he scored a beautiful goal that has football fans watching it on repeat. Mexico faced off against Canada at Estadio Azteca in the semi final round of CONCACAF WCQ. Mexico's professionalism and clinical skill on the pitch allowed for a high possession percentage and their attacking prowess created a penalty and Tecatito's clean finish.
Shinji Kagawa added two goals for Japan in a 5 - 0 romp of Syria in AFC World Cup Qualifying. The match against Syria was tight until Kagawa latched on to a flick from Keisuke Honda and with his back to the goal, chested it down, spun and fired home past Syrian keeper, Ibrahim Alba. Once Kagawa scored in the 66th minute, the flood gates opened as Syria allowed 3 more goals to be scored. Kagawa added another in the 90th minute.
Dimitri Payet was on the pitch for three minutes before he scored an absolutely stunning free kick from distance in an international friendly in the 64th minute. The West Ham and French international attacking midfielder went top right corner to beat Russian keeper, Igor Akinfeev. This 30 yard free kick put the home side up 3-1. It was a lovely goal that will definitely help Payet's cause in making the Euro 2016 French squad. France would go on to win the match 4 - 2 and birthday boy, Payet provided the highlight reel goal.
Happy Birthday Dimitri!
Space. The final frontier. These are the voyages of the South African midfielder Hlompho Kekana. His five-year mission: to blast a soccer ball into orbit.
Houston...we're experiencing what looks like a golazo up here. Please advise. Photo: @DRogozin | Twitter
We will say this for Glenn Verbauwhede: he has no regard for his personal safety.
Actually, let's amend that. We will say this for Glenn Verbauwhede: he hasn't much regard for anything at all.
Verbauwhede plays keeper for Maritzburg United in the South African Premier Soccer League, and he plays it with the kind of reckless abandon and stupidity that only comes along once in a blue moon. Just watch.