iSport World Cup Squad : Top Injury List of 2010

The build up to any big tournament provides those few anxious moments for anyone who is following a team or two. What if a big player goes out getting injured? Or what if your favourite team suffers a shock first round exit? iSporter Anmol Singh Diddan lists the stars that he will miss at the 2010 World Cup

dissapointed fans at Rio's imjury

The questions loom large until the action hits you hard. And, then it all falls into place for some and falls totally apart for the others.

The Fifa World Cup 2010 has sprung up its surprises already with a host of star players going out due to injuries. These are all illustrious names and their records show why they will be dearly missed.

Rio Ferdinand (78 caps, 3 goals)

England was being touted as favourites and still is. But the loss of their captain due to a knee injury that he suffered in training will dent their hopes heavily. The Terry, Ferdinand central defence partnership was one of the prime reasons why England had a no fuss qualifying for the World Cup. He is two games short of becoming the most capped 'black' player for England. His experience will surely be missed.

Arjen Robben (42 caps, 11 goals)

When he had arrived at Chelsea from PSV a few years back, his pace and skill convinced most that he would be the next big thing of the EPL. But Spanish giants Real Madrid came knocking and stole another one away from England. He failed to make an impact or rather went the same way as most high profile Real Madrid signings go - DOWN. He moved to Bayern Munich in August 2009 and had an amazing first season with them winning the League, League cup and reaching the Champions League Final. Holland's hopes will definitely be handed a heavy blow. He injured his hamstring during a friendly against Hungary on Saturday.

Michael Ballack (98 caps, 42 goals)

The hugely experienced and talented linchpin of the German midfield was injured in the FA Cup final which Chelsea won against Portsmouth. He tore his right ankle ligaments halfway through the final in a tackle with Kevin-Prince Boateng. He was ruled out of the World Cup quite some time ago but, the German squad would still be recuperating about the fact of there being no Ballack in the squad. Experts had already written Germany off once the news broke and how Germany deal with the gaping hole left in their midfield, remains to be seen.

John Obi Mikel (17 caps, 2 goals)

The Chelsea midfielder was the mainstay of the Nigerian midfield in South Africa. He has over the past seasons proved his mettle. His strength, ball control and passing ability is similar to Gattuso and Makelele. He was out of action since April this year due to a knee injury that he had sustained. The same injury re-emerged during training and Mikel thought it would be best to step down. An uncapped Ideye Brown has been called in as his replacement.

Didier Drogba (68 caps, 44 goals)

Ivory Coast, managed by former English manager Sven Goran Eriksson, were the strongest African team in this edition of the World Cup. With Drogba fracturing his elbow and his World Cup campaign having serious doubts, that status might well be dented. His international record of 44 goals in 68 games speaks for itself, which works out to 3 goals in 5 games. He was also in red hot form as he was the top scorer of the recently conclude EPL which Chelsea regained after a gap of 3 years. His abscence from the World Cup in entirety has not yet been confirmed.

Michael Essien (51 caps, 9 goals)

Essien had an injury fated 09/10 season for Chelsea. Essien had torn the medial ligament in his left knee while training with the Ghanaian national team before the African Cup of Nations in January and failed to return for Chelsea over the remainder of the season. His hopes of returning for the World Cup faded on May 27 as his injury had not yet healed.

An injury close to the biggest event in the sport that you have committed your life to is the most shattering blow a player can receive. And, these players mentioned above are all world class. They are the ones who were carrying the hopes of their countries on their shoulders and their injuries would almost certainly alter the dynamics of the World Cup.