In a previous article, we have included a list of big names who shall not be appearing in Brazil due to missing out on qualification or through injury.

Theo Walcott

Arsenal’s Theo Walcott has already been ruled out after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament in early January, which ended up being a devastating blow for Hodgson and England in general. Giuseppe Rossi suffered the same injury as Walcott during Fiorentina’s Serie A clash against Livorno, having left the pitch in tears fearing the worst after two cruel years of battling similar injuries. Prandelli and co. are hoping that Rossi will recover just in time, however tests are still in progress to determine whether the Viola player will make it or not.

Another player running a race against time is Real Madrid’s Sami Khedira. Having suffered two serious injuries in November whilst playing for Germany, Khedira has torn both his anterior and medial cruciate ligaments. Highly serious injuries indeed, luck may have still been on his side since it occurred last November, with his recovery process going as planned and Loew confirming that Khedira ‘should be busy this summer’ should the process progress in the same manner.

More recently, another stellar name risks missing out on Brazil. Radamel Falcao experienced a similar injury as the players mentioned previously during Monaco’s Coupe de France match against Monts Or Azergues. The player and his crew are still awaiting the experts’ verdicts yet tension is high in the Colombia camp, with the squad having hoped to depend on their star striker for goals this summer.

Other names on the doctors’ lists include Portugal’s Armindo Bruma who has had his season halted by injury just last week during a Galatasaray match. Australia’s player of the year Robbie Kruse is also at risk of missing out after experiencing the same injury which ruled Walcott out of Brazil, and Chile’s Humberto Suazo may kiss his last chance at appearing in a World Cup goodbye due to injury at the age of 34.

Since the tournament is not here for another five months, let’s hope that no more big names will be added to this list in order to keep the entertainment at the highest level this summer.