The World Cup 2010 in South Africa is just two days away, but the injury list keeps getting bigger after every practice and every friendly match played. Many star players will have to skip the first couple of games with their national teams due to injuries, and of course there are a few really unlucky footballers that will have to miss the entire World Cup 2010 tournament. Below are the latest news on most high profile World Cup 2010 injuries, as well as special reports for each injured player.
World Cup 2010 injuries: Didier Drogba
Didier Drogba seriously injured his arm last Friday during a friendly match against Japan, and was immediately rushed to a hospital were he got successfully operated. Drogba is definitely coming to South Africa but is uncertain if he will be able to play at all during the World Cup 2010. The latest injury report says that if Drogba’s injury heals fast he could be back for the second round of the World Cup. If of course his national team manages to advance, so most likely Didier Drogba is out, in my opinion the only reason he is not sent back home already is because he is the absolute fan favourite African player.
World Cup 2010 injuries: Arjen Robben
The latest big name injury before the World Cup 2010 is Arjen Robben of the Netherlands. Robben also got injured while playing in a friendly game against Hungary last Saturday, just four minutes before the final whistle. Arjen Robben is also definitely coming to the World Cup 2010, but injury reports coming in from his doctors cannot confirm yet that the player will be able to play at all during the group stage. For now it is almost certain that Robben’s injury will keep him away from the opening game against Denmark.
World Cup 2010 injuries: Andrea Pirlo
Italy’s 2006 final MVP Andrea Pirlo is also on the injury list after injuring his left calf muscle during the warm up game against Mexico. Pirlo is one of the irreplaceable team members of the struggling World Cup champions, so he is staying on Marcello Lippi’s roster for the duration of the World Cup 2010. Andrea Pirlo’s injury is pretty serious though, and will definitely keep him out at least for the first two group stage games.
World Cup 2010 injuries: Andrés Iniesta
Yesterday’s unexpected last minute addition to the World Cup 2010 injury list is Andrés Iniesta of Spain. Iniesta created two goals in the first half of the friendly game against Poland but got injured later on and had to leave the field in pain. The Spanish midfielder will be taken to the hospital today to assess the extent of his injury, but the head doctor has said that the injury is not serious.
World Cup 2010 injuries: Júlio César
Brazilian goalkeeper Júlio César had back pains during the friendly match against Zimbabwe and was immediately replaced. César’s injury also kept him on the bench during Brazil’s next warm up game against Tanzania, but apparently he is recovering well and will be ready for the World Cup 2010. Coach Dunga announced today that Júlio César is out of the injury list, and on the starting 11 for the opening game against North Korea.
World Cup 2010 injuries: Nani
Portuguese striker Nani is the latest player to miss the entire World Cup 2010 competition due to an injury. Nani injured his left collarbone during practice and will be replaced by Benfica’s Ruben Amorim. Apparently Nani tried to make an acrobatic move to score a goal, and the World Cup 2010 just lost another superstar because of an injury.
World Cup 2010 injuries: Gareth Barry
Gareth Barry has recovered on record time from his ankle injury and officially coming to the World Cup 2010 in South Africa with England. Barry says that he is 100% ready for action, but coach Fabio Capello has decided to leave him on the bench for the opening game against the United States and to give the player more time to heal from the injury. England has already lost David Beckham and Rio Ferdinand with injuries.
World Cup 2010 injuries: Éric Abidal
French defender Éric Abidal came to training today and has fully recovered from his injury. Abidal had missed a couple of days of practice, but is back on track and will even start against Uruguay this Friday. French midfielder Jérémy Toulalan is also injured but expected to be ready later on during the World Cup 2010. Of course Real Madrid superstar Lassana Diarra will miss the entire World Cup 2010 for France due to an injury.
World Cup 2010 injuries: Jozy Altidore
USA striker Jozy Altidore has fully recovered from injury and is expected to play in Saturday’s opening game against England. Altidore is back in training and off the injury list.
