World Cup 2018: 5 shocking exclusions from the 23-man squads

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#3 Radja Nainggolan

AS Roma v Juventus - Serie A
AS Roma v Juventus - Serie A

The 30-year-old star from AS Roma is arguably one of the best midfielders in world football at the moment. He was instrumental in Roma’s excellent run in the UEFA Champions League and the Serie A. The Belgian has scored 6 goals and assisted 11 more in 42 appearances for Roma this season.

However, he was left out of Roberto Martinez’s provisional 28-man squad for the World Cup. The 30-year-old has made 30 appearances for Belgium and played at the 2014 FIFA World Cup and 2016 European Championships. Though Nainggolan is a great form at the moment, his manager feels otherwise. Nainggolan later announced his retirement from international football.

Martinez said, "It is a tactical reason. In the last two years, the team has worked in an offensive way, in a very specific manner. In the case of Radja, we all know he has a very important role at club level and I don't think we can give him that in the national team”.

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Edited by Paneer Selvam
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