FIFA World Cup 2018
PAYET, MARTIAL LEFT OUT; MENDY INCLUDED
Marseille star Dimitri Payet was left out of France's World Cup squad announced by coach Didier Deschamps on Thursday, completing a miserable 24 hours for the playmaker.
The former West Ham United player was forced off with a hamstring injury in the first half of Marseille's Europa League final defeat against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday, and that fitness doubt persuaded Deschamps to leave him out of the squad of 23.
Payet was one of France's stars at Euro 2016, when they reached the final as hosts before losing to Portugal. But he has also fallen victim to the number of attacking options available to Deschamps, who did call up Payet's Marseille teammate Florian Thauvin along with Lyon captain Nabil Fekir. However, Manchester United's Anthony Martial and Arsenal striker Alexander Lacazzette were also left out.
Elsewhere, Manchester City left-back Benjamin Mendy was called up despite having hardly featured for Pep Guardiola's side since returning from a serious knee injury. "It always seems impossible until it's done", wrote Mendy on Twitter.
HART BROKEN OVER WORLD CUP SNUB
Former England first choice goalkeeper Joe Hart admitted he is finding it hard to accept being omitted from the England World Cup squad by Gareth Southgate.
The 31-year-old -- England's number one goalkeeper at both the 2010 and 2014 World Cups -- has suffered a dramatic fall from grace since Pep Guardiola sent him out on loan once he became Manchester City manager in 2016.
Hart's case for selection amongst the three goalkeepers to go to Russia had not been enhanced by inconsistent form at Premier League strugglers West Ham, whom he joined after a season in Serie A with Torino.
The 75-times capped stopper -- only Peter Shilton with 125 has won more caps in goal for England -- lost out to uncapped Burnley goalkeeper Nick Pope, Everton's Jordan Pickford and relegated Stoke City's Jack Butland.
"Not going to lie, I'm gutted," Hart wrote on Instagram. "After 2 years of trying to make the most of a really tough situation, this is hard to take."
AGUERO FEELS 'LIKE NEW'
Argentina striker Sergio Aguero said on Thursday that he feels "like new" and is ready to play his "best World Cup" in Russia despite struggling in recent months with a knee injury.
The 29-year-old hasn't played for Manchester City since their Champions League quarterfinal defeat by Liverpool on April 10, and Argentina coach Jorge Sampaoli has a host of attacking options to choose from.
"My knee is like new, I've always had problems... But now I feel different, I can bend it and it's a relief," he told Argentinian TV channel TyC.
Aguero has played 84 times since making his international debut in 2006, scoring 36 goals, but faces strong competition for a place in Sampaoli's starting XI.
With Lionel Messi a shoe-in for the team, Aguero will need to stave off challenges from Juventus pair Gonzalo Higuain and Paulo Dybala, Roma striker Diego Perotti and Inter Milan's Mauro Icardi.
But, having never scored in eight previous World Cup matches, Aguero insisted that he is preparing for his "best World Cup".
EDER, NANI MISS OUT
Forwards Eder and Nani were surprise absentees from Portugal's World Cup squad with national team coach Fernando Santos opting instead for the youth of Andre Silva and Goncalo Guedes to play alongside superstar Cristiano Ronaldo.
Also missing from the 23-man squad was Andre Gomes who, like Eder and Nani, played at the 2016 European championships won by the Portuguese.
Injured Porto midfielder Danilo Pereira was also missing from the line-up.
Eder scored the extra-time winning goal in the Euro 2016 final against France but he was desperately out of form for Lokomotiv Moscow this season, scoring just four goals as his club side claimed the Russian Premier League title.
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