World Cup 2018: 5 top footballers snubbed for the Mundial

#3 Radja Nainggolan (Belgium)

Radja Nainggolan was dropped from the squad despite playing a pivotal role for Belgium in Euro 2016.

Believed by many to be one of the most complete midfielders in the world, Radja Nainggolan is a man of many skills. He is a sturdy, tireless, classic box-to-box midfielder, who can contribute offensively and defensively to his team.

On the attack, he creates chances for his team and can also launch accurate shots from long-range. On the defensive front, he makes good use of his physicality and defensive prowess to regain possession in his own half and start a counter-attack.

He also possesses great vision and passing skill, which allow him to control the game from the centre of the pitch. This versatility in midfield is the reason why Belgian Manager Roberto Martinez is being criticised for overlooking Nainggolan, who has also been the main man at his club AS Roma for so many years.

He has scored 6 times and assisted 12 times in his 42 outings this season for AS Roma and played a key role in their scintillating Champions League run during which they even overcame cup favourites FC Barcelona.

The one and only time Nainggolan was picked for a big tournament with Belgium was when he was named in the Euro 2016 squad by former manager Marc Wilmots. Besides that, he has regularly been ignored by his national team managers, missing the 2014 World Cup (he was relegated to the standby list) and the 2018 World Cup qualifiers in the past.

The midfield maestro's string of omissions from the national squad lacks statistical basis to such a degree that it is often seen to be a consequence of his off-pitch habit of smoking, which is frowned upon in the field of sports.

However, Martinez has debunked such correlation by clarifying that the Roma captain just doesn't fit in his current system. Whatever the reason may be, it is clear from Radja Nainggolan's record that the problem isn't with him, the problem lies somewhere else.

Moreover, the latest snub has turned out to be very provocative, prompting the Roma midfielder to declare his retirement from international duty at the peak age of 29.

In the aftermath, the disgruntled fans have decided to peacefully protest against Martinez's decision in Belgium's friendlies leading to the World Cup, whereas on the other side, the Belgian FA has extended his contract till 2020 as a show of their support.

Evidently, not everyone has the same view regarding this squad selection and Belgians are divided over the veteran's exclusion.