Top 10 players missing out on September international break due to injury

Key players set to miss September break

The September international break in the world of football is conducting national team matches for tournaments like FIFA and UEFA Euro qualifiers. Yet it comes with its fair share of disappointments as several key players are set to miss out on representing their respective national teams.

The footballing world will be watching closely to see how teams cope without their star talents. We've seen a lot of criticism from the managers about the schedule of matches and the overload. Players across different leagues representing different nations have been effected by that, recently before even the season started players have been sidelined for a couple of weeks and months.

Here's the list of players who are set to miss out the qualifiers and the international break:

10. John Stones - England

The 29-year-old is missing from action since the start of the season due to a hip injury sustained in pre-season, his return could be a real boost for City, given just how impressive he has been, particularly over the past year, during which he has showcased his ability to play in the middle of the park. He is the first-choice centre-back for Gareth Southgate, he will miss the first few matchdays for England.

9. Thomas Partey - Ghana

Thomas Partey sustained an upper leg muscular problem during the eve of Arsenal's match against Manchester United, the ever important presence for Arsenal and Ghana will miss atleast six weeks due to the injury. Ghana will have Africa Cup of Nations qualification, the tournament is set to start in January next year. He has become a key player for Mikel Arteta, he started the opening three games as a right-back showcasing his abilities to play at different positions.

8. Eder Militao - Brazil

Real Madrid started their season with an opening games win over Athletic Bilbao, but the suffered another blow going into the season with Militao hyperextending his knee during the first match. He left the pitch with tears in eyes and is set to miss six months of football. He became the second player to get injured for Real Madrid. Brazil will miss an experienced player at the back-line during the World Cup qualifiers.

7. Reece James - England

Reece James became the third Chelsea player, after Wesley Fofana and Christopher Nkunku, to be out with a long-term injury. The new Chelsea captain suffered another hamstring injury which means he will be another player for Gareth Southgate who is going to miss the Euro qualifiers. He is the preferred right-back at England but they have a range of players who can replace him.

6. Memphis Depay - Netherlands

The Dutchman scored in the thrilling 7-0 Atletico Madrid encounter against Rayo Vallecano, this was his second goal of the season. But he left the pitch on the half-hour mark with a muscle strain, having missed 11 games due to injury last season, he will a few more gamed this season. Netherlands will have to play without their main striker, he is seven goals behind Robin van Persie for the most goals scored for his nation.

5. Luke Shaw - England

The England international picked up the problem in the aftermath of United's 2-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur, it was later confirmed that Shaw would be sidelined for a significant period. A ten-week layoff forced United to sign a backup left-back, would also see Shaw miss the first four rounds of Champions League group fixtures and few of England's games in the Euro qualifiers.

4. Thibaut Courtois - Belgium

Courtois's hamstring injury left Carlo Ancelotti with Andriy Lunin as his only available goalkeeper, just two days before Madrid's 2023-24 Liga campaign begins. Madrid faced the first huge blow before the season even started, Courtois is replaced by Kepa in goal. Belgium will look to find his replacement for the ever important campaign of the qualifiers.

3. Mason Mount - England

United confirmed after their defeat to Tottenham that Mount would be out until after the international break due to a “small complaint”. He will miss 4-6 weeks and his expected return is going to be after next month's international break. It is because of his technical abilities that Southgate has always backed him in the midfield, his injury will allow Southgate to experiment a new player alongside Declan Rice in the midfield.

2. Vinicius Jr - Brazil

Real Madrid's new number 7 was exceptional since the start of the season, he has one goal in the three matches that he played. He is another Real Madrid player to be sidelined due to a hamstring injury. Vinicius is expected to be sidelined for five to six weeks and will miss Brazil's first two qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup against Bolivia and Peru in this international break.

1. Kevin de Bruyne - Belgium

The 32-year-old was forced off after 28 minutes of the season opener against Burnley in a recurrence of the problem that caused his first-half substitution in June’s Champions League final victory against Inter Milan. There is fear around Belgium and Manchester City camp that the star player could miss the entire season, his injury will make it tough for both his club and country because undoubtedly he is the best player whenever he steps onto the field.