Changing Of The Guard

One of the best defenders in the world; and legendary captain for his club & country; Sergio Ramos; has been sensationally left out of the Spain squad for the upcoming Euro 2020. How could this have happened? An inspirational figure in both performance & stature; surely he would be one of the first names on the team sheet for Spain.

But look behind the scenes; and there could be further explanation for this decision. Age & injuries may have slowly caught up with him; and he has not played that much for Real Madrid so far this season; thus his conditioning and form may not quite be there. Manager Luis Enrique may also feel it is time for a slow changing of the guard; with the chance to blood further youngsters to prime them for competition.

But his has not been the only shocking omission through the years. Eric Cantona & David Ginola were sensationally left out of France's Euro '96 squad; and Tony Adams; then the young Arsenal captain; was abruptly left out of England's Italia '90 squad in favour of Derby County's less-heralded Mark Wright. In recent times; France's undisputed No. 1 striker Karim Benzema has been 'scandalously' left out of France's international squad; while Aymeric Laporte has ridiculously not been capped by France all these years.

But the most shocking omission of all time has to be Paul Gascoigne; who was famously left out of England's 1998 World Cup squad by manager Glenn Hoddle; leaving to ooh-ahhs all-round and a devastating changing room tantrum from the precocious midfielder. It was a move so shocking it is still talked about to this day.