Cut less than a week before Brazil’s debut in the World Cup, right-back Wesley is far from being an exception in the sad cases of athletes who have to leave the delegation on the eve of the long-awaited quadrennial FIFA (International Football Federation) tournament.
This Sunday (7), the CBF (Brazilian Football Confederation) announced the call-up of Éderson to replace the injured full-back.
Below, remember some of the main recent cases of players who missed the chance to compete in the World Cup due to last-minute injuries.
1994 – Ricardo Gomes
One of the starters in Carlos Alberto Parreira’s defense, Ricardo Gomes suffered a muscle strain in the final stretch of preparation, being replaced by Ronaldão. Márcio Santos ended up taking over the spot on the field.
In the USA’s World Cup debut against Russia, Ricardo Rocha suffered a muscle strain in his left thigh and did not return to the field, although he remained with the group. Aldair took his place on the team.
One of the main people responsible for winning the four-peat in 1994, Romário was cut on the eve of the World Cup in France by the technical committee led by Zagallo and Zico, due to an injury to his right calf, similar to that of Neymar.
The decision outraged the Flamengo striker, who said he would be able to recover during the tournament and was already training with the club three weeks after the cut.
2002 – Emerson
Then captain of the national team, midfielder Emerson, from Roma, suffered a dislocation in his right shoulder while playing improvised goalkeeper in a recreational training session, the day before the debut against Turkey. Ricardinho was called up in his place, while Cafu took on the captain’s armband.
2006 – Edmílson
Five-time champion with the national team in 2002, versatile defender/midfielder Edmílson was cut from the 2006 World Cup in Germany, during the team’s preparation in Switzerland. Tests revealed a rupture of the lateral meniscus in his right knee. The Mineiro midfielder, world champion with São Paulo the previous year, was called to his place.
2018 – Daniel Alves
Owner of Tite’s right back, Daniel Alves suffered a serious knee injury in a match for PSG (Paris Saint-Germain) in the French Cup with three days to go before the announcement of the squad list for the Russian Cup. Fagner ended up taking his place.
