The international break games for March is upon us and players are leaving their club to teamup with their countrymen to honour the clarion call.
Unfortunately, some top footballers have had to withdraw from representing their respective countries in the upcoming games due to injuries.
Premier League trio of Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City seem to be rivaling one another in everything as all three have announced one of their respective players have withdrawn from international break games.
We take a look at some of the big names who will be missing out in the excitement the international break brings.
Missing players in the March international break
Victor Osimhen of Nigeria and Napoli
Napoli has informed the Nigeria Football Federation that Victor Osimhen is not in the right condition to be available for the international break.
The striker, who sit out of the club’s 1-1 draw with Inter last time out will remain in Italy and continue his recovery to hit full fitness.
Kevin de Bruyne of Belgium and Manchester City
The Manchester City maestro was unavailability for the club’s final game before the international break due to a groin injury.
He is however expected back in action after the international break, when Pep Guardiola’s team takes on Arsenal in a decisive Premier League top of the table clash.
Antoine Griezmann of France and Atletico Madrid will miss the International Break
Griezmann was taken off at half-time in Atletico’s humiliating 3-0 loss to Barcelona due to a suspected ankle injury. Though made the trip to France to join the squad for the international break games.
However, it was decided that he can not continue to play during the international break to avoid complications, hence his withdrawal from the group.
His imminent absence will bring to an end an historic record. Griezmann had featured in every France on an 84-game run that dates back to 2017.
Rhe next longest streak of consecutive games for Les Bleus was 44 by Patrick Viera.
Lazio midfielder Matteo Guendouzi has been called up as his replacement as France battle Germany and Chile in international friendlies.
Gabriel Magalhaes of Brazil and Arsenal
Reports has it that Gabriel has been nursing an inflamed Achilles tendon, a painful injury which will take three months to heal.
Arsenal has been managing the situation and wants to limit the number of games played by the big center half until the end of the season, hence they have informed Brazil that Gabriel will miss the international break games.
Gabriel has been replaced by Juventus’ Gleison Bremer.
Darwin Nunez of Uruguay and Liverpool
Darwin Nunez has been excused from the Uruguay squad for the international break games in order to give him the time needed to recover.
Although the striker has not suffered any injury but needs time to recuperate after a knock few weeks back, which he has been playing through in the last few games.
Darwin Nunez stays at Liverpool.
Tyronne Ebuehi of Nigeria and Empoli
Super Eagles defender Tyronne Ebuehi has withdrawn from the squad for the upcoming games against Ghana and Mali.
He will remain with his club Empoli in Italy to nurse a partial ACL tear sustained in Empoli’s loss to Bologna in the weekend.
Huge blow for Ebuehi who missed the AFCON and Nigeria, who is already having major absentees in defense.
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