Top 10 footballers that have pulled out of March International break due to injury

A number of star players have been ruled out of the national team games

The international break is an important period for footballers to represent their countries and compete against some of the best teams in the world. However, injuries are a common occurrence during this period of season, and many footballers have had to pull out of the March international break due to their respective injuries.

Injuries are a major concern for footballers, especially during international breaks. The players are away from their usual club environment and may not receive the same level of medical attention they would at their clubs, so even if they are minorly injured, they may become more injured somehow due to the intensity of games. Furthermore, international matches are usually more physically demanding, which increases the likelihood of injury. As a result, many footballers have been forced to withdraw from the upcoming international fixtures due to injury concerns.

In this article, we will discuss the top 10 footballers who have pulled out of the March international break due to injury and the impact it may have on their respective countries.

10. Nick Pope - England / Newcastle United

Nick Pope is well-known for his exceptional ball-handling abilities, which enable him to boldly receive and hold crosses and shots. He's also a great shot-blocker, with quick reactions that allow him to make stops from close range. Pope is also an excellent communicator, continually organizing and instructing his defense to ensure that they are well-positioned and capable of repelling rival assaults. Nick Pope was absent from Newcastle's last week's training practices due to an undisclosed issue.

The injury is characterized as "minor", with Nick Pope scheduled to receive care (and relaxation) during the international break. Pope, who has ten appearances, was injured in Newcastle's 2-1 victory over Nottingham Forest on Friday. In lieu of the injured Pope, Fraser Forster has been called upon.

9. Takehiro Tomiyasu - Japan / Arsenal

Takehiro Tomiyasu, an Arsenal defender, has pulled from Japan's forthcoming friendly matches against Uruguay and Colombia at home. The 24-year-old was forced off with an obvious right leg injury nine minutes into the second leg of Arsenal's Europa League round-of-16 game.Tomiyasu is a flexible defender who can play as a center-back or a right-back.

He has exceptional speed, allowing him to keep up with quick opponents and make comeback dashes when necessary. His physical strength is also a valuable tool, as he is capable of holding his own against rival attackers. Hence, Japan will surely miss his services during the International friendlies.

8. William Saliba - France / Arsenal

William Saliba is a tall, strong, and technically gifted defender who is known for his excellent positioning, good anticipation, and solid tackling abilities. He has a good reading of the game and uses his physicality and pace to cover ground and make timely interceptions. Saliba was removed in Arsenal's Europa League elimination last week against Sporting CP due to a back injury.

The Frenchman then missed the Saturday match against Crystal Palace due to worries about his fitness. The FFF stated that Saliba, who had been called up for the squad earlier in the week, would be replaced from the men's senior international team following his injury.

7. Wesley Fofana - France / Chelsea

Fofana was seen in the Stamford Bridge bench with an ice pack on his right leg. The Frenchman will now lose out on his first professional appearance for Didier Deschamps' side after withdrawing from the group due to injury, according to the French Football Federation.

When making collisions and interceptions, Fofana has outstanding recovery speed and a strong sense of coordination. His ability to assess the game and play as both a center-back and a right-back, and he frequently bursts forward to add to his team's attacks. France will miss this defending ability during the March international break.

6. Raheem Sterling - England / Chelsea

Raheem Sterling was left out of England's team for the March internationals as a precaution due to a hamstring issue. The injury is not severe, but he will miss the contest in the foreign trip. His lightning-fast speed, dribbling abilities, and quick agility will be sorely missed.

He is also an exceptional finisher in front of goal and an important addition to his team's build-up play. Southgate will have to find an outstanding substitute for him.

5. Darwin Nunez - Uruguay / Liverpool

Darwin Nunez of Liverpool has been ruled out of Uruguay's upcoming contests against Japan and South Korea due to an ankle injury.His physicality, aerial ability, and clinical finishing will not be on show during the international break.

Nunez is a powerful striker who can hold the ball and bring his teammates into action. Nunez was among those expected to play during the international holiday. He was selected to Marcelo Broli's 23-man squad for Uruguay's upcoming games, but he had to pull out due to an unfortunate injury.

4. Mason Mount - England / Chelsea

Mason Mount is well-known for his technical skill, inventiveness, and work rate. He is a great ball dribbler who can also play precise through balls and long-range deliveries. However, he has recently missed a number of games due to a problem in his lower abdomen. Mount has been in and out of training, but resumed on Tuesday with a number of other players.

However, it has been verified that he will miss England encounter & will be out of the squad as well. Mount's work rate is one of his main strengths, and England will undoubtedly lose it.

3. Jamal Musiala - Germany / Bayern Munich

Despite his youth, Musiala has already demonstrated great maturity and assurance on the ball, but the Bayern Munich forward has been left out of Germany's team for the March international break due to a hamstring strain.

He will not be joining Hansi Flick's team after suffering a thigh injury in Bayern's 2-1 Bundesliga loss to Bayer Leverkusen. Germany will play Peru in Mainz on Saturday before traveling to Cologne three days later to meet Belgium. His versatility is also a valuable tool, but he will not be on the program during the International break.

2. Marcus Rashford - England / Manchester United

Marcus Rashford will miss England's Euro 2024 qualifications against Italy and Ukraine after picking up an injury in Manchester United's FA Cup win over Fulham on Sunday. Rashford, who scored three goals in last year's World Cup in Qatar, has been on fire this season, scoring 30 goals for club and country.

Rashford is a great finisher in front of goal and a crucial addition to his team's build-up play. His ability to run with the ball and beat defenders one-on-one is one of his main assets that England's team would lose.

1. Erling Haaland - Norway / Manchester City

Erling Haaland is well-known for his tremendous power, speed, and finishing skill. He is a goal-scoring machine who can strike from any position or distance. However, by withdrawing from Norway's team, he has given Manchester City a major injury worry.

The striker, who scored a hat-trick against Burnley in the FA Cup on Saturday, has complained of "groin pain" and will miss the forthcoming friendlies against Spain and Georgia. One of his main assets is his physicality, as he can hold up the ball and bully defenders; this will undoubtedly be missed.

To sum up...

Injuries are a part and parcel of football, and the March international break has seen its fair share of players withdrawing due to injury concerns. The above list of 10 players who have withdrawn due to injury highlights the impact injuries can have on the national teams of these players.

While some teams have sufficient depth to cope with these injuries, others may struggle without their star players. Nonetheless, it is important for these players to take the time to recover from their injuries and return to full fitness to help their clubs and countries in the long run.