Freiburg’s Vincenzo Grifo said goodbye to a long Christmas vacation with a hat-trick against Union Berlin. The Italian will miss the World Cup in Qatar, as will Norway’s Erling Haaland. And a few other stars from Europe’s leagues.
Vincenzo Grifo was in no hurry after his hat-trick on Sunday against Union Berlin. The match winner of SC Freiburg, who can confidently be described as one of the “players of the first half of the season” in Germany’s Bundesliga, announced in a relaxed manner that he would buy his teammates another one before saying goodbye to the upcoming longer break. “I’ll think of something and bring something decent to eat in the dressing room,” announced the 29-year-old native of Pforzheim, who works internationally for Italy.
And this is where Grifo’s problem begins. Because Italy didn’t qualify for the World Cup, Freiburg’s difference player “may” play two test matches with the Italian national team in the coming days (Wednesday Albania, Sunday Austria), before he says goodbye to an extended Christmas vacation and follows the World Cup on TV becomes. Just as naturally as Italian stars Marco Verratti, Jorginho and Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Haaland missed Norway in crucial qualifying games
Neither will fans in Qatar be able to admire Erling Haaland like Grifo. Possibly the best attacker in the world at the moment is Norway – his team also failed to qualify for Qatar.
Due to injury, he missed his Norwegians in the decisive four games of the World Cup qualifier. And the 22-year-old would have been very important: the Scandinavians lacked attacking power, especially in the surprising 0-0 draw against Latvia.
Osimhen is absent with Nigeria
While Haaland in the first half of the season, the fans of the English premier league Victor Osimhen did so in the Italian Serie A. The SSC Napoli striker scored nine goals in eleven league games and has played a major role in the fact that the southern Italians are dominating the league at the moment in a way that has rarely been achieved by a team .
Direct hit: Victor Osimhen
But even Osimhen will not be able to show his outstanding condition in front of a world audience. Because with Nigeria, the 23-year-old lost the decisive playoff games in the African qualification against Ghana.
Alaba looks into the tube
David Alaba did a lot of things right in the summer of 2021 with his move from Bayern to Real Madrid. The Austrian won the Champions League with the “Royals” and was able to take another step in his impressive career.
At the World Cup, however, the 30-year-old will look into the tube. Because Austria surprisingly failed in the playoffs with its “Golden Generation” 1: 2 to Wales. Which means that Bundesliga heroes like Marcel Sabitzer or top scorer Marko Arnautovic will spend a lot of time in front of the TV during the Advent season to watch the others instead of doing it themselves.
Mo Salah just twirls on the sofa
Mo Salah’s appearances on the football pitch are always fascinating. With his enormous agility and his coolness in front of the opposing goal, he is still one of the decisive pillars Liverpool FC. And of course in Egypt’s national team. Unfortunately, this has not been able to qualify for the World Cup.
A second participation in the World Cup after 2018 will be denied to Salah and the Egyptians for the time being. Irritated by numerous laser pointers, it was the Liverpool star who was the first to take a penalty in the decisive game against Senegal – and missed. Ex-Liverpool colleague Sadio Mané of all people scored the decisive goal for Senegal’s qualification.
Riyad Mahrez – Algerians failed at Cameroon
What a drama about Algeria and superstar Riyad Mahrez: In the playoffs against Cameroon, a 1-0 win in the first leg was not enough. Cameroon won the second leg 2-1 with a goal in the fourth minute of extra time.
Failed by Cameroon – Riyad Mahrez
Sergio Ramos – Luis Henrique doesn’t want him
The Spanish national team without Sergio Ramos – for many years this was unthinkable. Spain’s current coach Luis Henrique has now made this scenario a fact. He has the 36-year-old defense chief who has been with Paris since 2021 Saint Germain plays, not nominated for the World Cup squad. Although Ramos has gotten over the injury that kept him out of action for a few weeks in the summer.
Also very surprising: Henrique also does without Thiago from Liverpool. The clever midfielder is absent, as is longtime keeper David de Gea.
The dazzling oldie is also missing
One would have liked to have seen the appearances of “King Ibra” again in Qatar. But also Zlatan Ibrahimovic failed with his Swedes in the crucial playoffs. Poland around Robert Lewandowski was too strong for the northern lights in the decisive game.
Ibrahimovic is still far from thinking about quitting – not even at the age of 41. “I’ll play while I can” he recently announced.