World Cup 2010 - Nani ruled out of World Cup
Portugal and Manchester United winger Nani has been ruled out of the World Cup with a left shoulder injury.
"After tests we conclude he is unfit to participate in the World Cup," the country's football federation said. Nani picked up the injury in training on Friday in Lisbon before flying to South Africa.
The winger had missed the squad's final home training session in Portugal on Saturday after falling while attempting an acrobatic shot, causing a traumatism in his shoulder.
During the flight to Johannesburg, he had been confident he would recover in time.
Nani's loss will be sorely felt by the 2006 semi-finalists who lost to runners-up France in Germany.
The winger had an excellent second half to the season with impressive performances in the Premier League and Champions League with Manchester United.
He will be replaced by Benfica's Ruben Amorim, the federation added.
Nani is the latest high-profile Premier League star who has been either ruled out or is very doubtful for the World Cup.
OUT
MICHAEL BALLACK, Germany and Chelsea
The German captain was ruled out of the finals with an ankle injury after a late challenge by Ghana's Kevin-Prince Boateng during Chelsea's FA Cup final win over Portsmouth in May.
RIO FERDINAND, England and Manchester United
The England captain will miss the finals after injuring his knee in his country's first major training session in South Africa last Friday.
MICHAEL ESSIEN, Ghana and Chelsea
The Ghana midfielder suffered a knee injury at the African Cup of Nations in January and has failed to recover in time.
JOHN OBI MIKEL, Nigeria and Chelsea
The midfielder was forced out of the tournament with a badly bruised ankle suffered in Nigeria's first full contact training session in South Africa on Friday.
JOSE BOSINGWA, Portugal and Chelsea
The full-back picked up a knee injury last October. He was expected to return last March but the club then said he required further surgery which ruled him out of South Africa.
DOUBTFUL
DIDIER DROGBA, Ivory Coast and Chelsea
The Ivory Coast's fearsome striker underwent successful surgery on an injured elbow on Saturday but remains a doubt for the finals. Drogba picked up the injury in a World Cup warm-up against Japan last Friday.
What is more, former Premier League stars David Beckham (England) and Lassana Diarra (France) are missing with injuries, with Arjen Robben (Netherlands) and Harry Kewell (Australia) doubtful.
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Comment 112 - 131 of 131
123 viva algeria good luck
saha dahmane guerra
FUNNILY MOST INJURED PLAYERS PLAY FOR ENGLISH CLUBS, NOT BECAUSE ITS BEST FOOTBALL BUT PRETTY MUCH HIGHEST PAID JOBS! aS TO INJURIES THE ENGLISH LOVE TO FOUL. aS SIMPLE AS THAT.
It's no surprise that most of the players are from English teams because most of the best players in the world play in the English Premier League. It's the toughest in the world and that's what attracts them to our shores.
As far as injuries go. That happens with every world cup. It's the injuries that give lesser known players the chance to shine and invariably they do when given such a major stage to perform on, and as always, the clubs will be rushing to sign those up and coming talents after the competition.
I an very surprise the way people keep talking about the injuried players and it effect on the world cup, if you have been following the world cup over the years, you will remember that great players has alway missed the world cup, pele,romario but the shape of the world cup does not change, new guys will come up
Vincent
Doubtlessly best Portuguese's is out. Rest is good for lad, bad is that gives MU advantage.
to vitor comment #92 who said "terrible news for portugal! after bosingwa we will miss another nuclear player for our team" so to vitor dont worry hes only gone fission!
Shut yer faggotty face Andydavey,hope yer England team get hammered Ya tosser
According to the injured list above it appears that Chelsea a the most injured players but the title of the story says Manchaster United is most hit. Do I smell a whiff of favouratism or is it just the fear of Furguson?
Sirkeithbrennan shut ur mouth u racist little freak, if it wasn't for england, no1 would be playing football..... so shut ur childish mouth. We won it in 66 and yes there were less teams, but most teams competing where still good teams...... so get the whole story out b4 u blab rubbish. Also, not good at cricket??? just won 20 20 world cup??? again get ur facts right b4 u blab out of ur backside. I'm english and i don't drink tea??? my teeth are in great condition, just a typical moron who thinks the stereotype is exactly correct, if this was all true then every american (im assuming ur a yank) is morbidly obese, talk like idiots and are rednecks, or blonde girls are so dumb its unreal, they are stereotypes used to insult, so stop talkin out of ur backside!
Blame the Ball, on FA cebook
LORD...Do not abuse man united players who play at a level you could only dream of you bitter frustrated loser!!
Nani is a man u player so i f*cking hate the @#$%......that said i do feel for the lad ...............i used to play footy,from the age of 5 till i was 16.
And i know what it means.......i never played on the stage or at the level he plays but i can understand he's well gutted..
Btw i'm a liverpool supporter
Something must be done to reduce the number of friendlies played before the World Cup and Euro also if possible The top teams have the top players who play the most and probably have statistically the highest chance of injury due to sheer minutes played. It is a big blow to Portugal to lose such an effective and IMPROVED player as Nani. They need Nani.
It will further sink the level of football being played overall in the World Cup, with all these players injured or not 100%. For me, above all, the World Cup is about having fun. Both having fun watching great, exciting, inventive and unique plays and goals, and for the players also to have a priceless time creating these moments. Every great player injured will reduce these great moments and the fun. After all, let's face it - these players make a lot of money, but I doubt that they put themselves in such danger and also play such amazing football if they did not do it to have fun and to improve themselves, both skill-wise and mentally. They would not go through such hardship, uncertainty in being famous and well-paid (which only a small fraction of footballers actually achieve - and these are the great ones), if they did not enjoy it. Where's the fun if they are "played to death" by their clubs in countless tournaments and games, if they are too injured to play at all?
I hope at least that Arjen Robben will come back and also Didier Drogba.
It's no coincidence that all the players that got injred play in the English premier League (except Roben). It vindicates what many have been saying, that that league is badly organised in terms of fixtures. We need mid-season a break like the others do.
these arguments are not about the world cup so shut up and i agree u should not put tht you have reported someone very childish
Comment 182, your first prediction contradicts your last!
Mark as I thought, a non achiever.
just to let england fans know sir ferguson rules england and he is from scotland
just to let england fans know sir ferguson rules england and he is from scotland
rooney to be sent off within 20 mins
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