Soccer is the most popular sport in the world and there is no bigger event than the 2010 World Cup held in South Africa. With the qualifying stages drawing to a close, here are some of the biggest names who are in danger of missing out.
1) Lionel Messi, Carlos Tevez, Javier Mascherano, Sergio Aguero
Argentina is one of the biggest names in world soccer, winning the World Cup in 1978 and 1986. However, the appointment of their greatest ever player, Diego Maradona, as team manager has been an absolute disaster with the team currently stuck in 5th position in the South American Zone qualification round. With only the top 4 teams qualifying automatically and the 5th place team entering into the playoffs, Argentina’s hopes are hanging by a thread. Only 1 point separates them from Uruguay and Venezuela, and with 3 matches remaining, Argentina could finish as low as 7th.
2) Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo’s transfer from Manchester United to Real Madrid for 80 million pounds made him the most expensive player in the world. But even his prodigious talent isn’t enough for Portugal, as the Portuguese are currently languishing in 3rd place in Group 1 of the UEFA World Cup qualifying rounds. With only the top team making it through and the 2nd place team heading to the playoffs, Portugal has only 2 games left to play and might be eliminated if they do not win their next game.
3) David Beckham
The 2 games England played against Croatia might have decided Beckham’s fate. In the earlier game, England beat Croatia 4-1 with Theo Walcott, starting at the right midfield position, scoring a hat trick. Walcott had to sit out the return match at Wembley due to an injury and Aaron Lennon took his place. Lennon promptly turned in a man of the match performance, helping create 2 goals in England’s devastating 5-1 victory against the team that knocked them out of Euro 2008. Beckham had time to come on for a 10 min cameo, but will Capello take 3 right midfielders to South Africa? I think not.
There you have it. 3 of the biggest names in world soccer in danger of missing out of the next World Cup. Lionel Messi, arguably the best player in the world. Cristiano Ronaldo, the most expensive player in the world, and David Beckham, the most well known player in the world.