Top 10 players to miss October international break due to injury

Another International break, another list of superstars missing

A number of top football players will miss the October international break due to injury. This will be a significant blow to the teams involved, and it will be interesting to see how they cope without these key players. The heavy load of the matches has caused teams for seasons now, this season also teams have lost their key players at just the start of the new season.

The injuries to key players are a reminder that football is a physical sport and that players are susceptible to injuries. However, it is also important to remember that football is a team sport and that nations can still be successful even if some of their key players are injured.

Top 10 key missings in October international break:

10. Ivan Perisic - Croatia

Ivan Perisic was pictured on crutches after undergoing ACL surgery as the Tottenham Hotspur star is expected to be sidelined for 'five to six months' after the operation in Austria. Perisic came off the bench for Tottenham and played a vital role in the club's comeback against Sheffield United a couple of weeks ago, but it will be his last involvement for the club for a while. 

9. Arda Guler - Turkey

Real Madrid's close-season signing Arda Guler sustained a thigh injury after pre-season, he was set to debut but suffered a new quad injury, it was another setback for the midfielder that will further delay his debut for the team. Guler's injury added to the players Real Madrid have been missing already this season. In the 2023-24 Euro Qualifiers, he has scored one goal for his country. His return

8. Ben Chilwell - England

Chelsea and England star Ben Chilwell is reportedly set for another lengthy spell on the sideline, the Three Lions man suffered the issue in the League Cup versus Brighton & Hove Albion. The left-back is rather injury-prone but is seemingly bigger and tougher as well as slightly maturing since his Leicester City days. He has been ruled out until December.

7. Brennan Johnson - Wales

Johnson limped off against Arsenal two weeks ago, missed Tottenham's Saturday win over Liverpool and has not been called up to the Wales squad for the Euro Qualifiers. He looked bright against Arsenal on his first Spurs start and will boost their forward options ahead of an important run of games after the international break. He is back to training but will not feature in Wales' upcoming matches.

6. Cody Gakpo - Netherlands

Gakpo went down injured in first-half stoppage time, moments after scoring Liverpool's equaliser in their defeat against Tottenham on Saturday. He didn't emerge for the second half, with manager Jurgen Klopp later confirming the forward was limping. Anyhow, he is expected to return after the international break for both his club and country.

5. Angel Di Maria - Argentina

The former PSG and Juventus man will miss crucial World Cup qualifiers for his team Argentina. He has been a part of the squad for years and was a player to keep an eye on the last World Cup, he scored a goal in the final too, but Argentina will miss their main man on the right wing in this international break. For Benfica this season, he has six goal involvements in six games for the club in Primeira Liga.

4. Serge Gnabry - Germany

Bayern Munich and Germany are set to be without Serge Gnabry for an extended period after the forward suffered a forearm fracture against Preuben Munster on Tuesday night during the first round of DFB-Pokal. Such an injury is always in the favour of the player and the team, Gnabry will miss some of the main matches for Bayern and Germany in the Euro qualifiers.

3. Matthijs de Ligt - Netherlands

The Dutchman is still struggling with pain after the knock he took to his knee and could be out for longer than expected. Dayot Upamecano is still battling a pubic bone ailment that might keep him on the sidelines, with Bayern having no centre-backs, De Ligt’s knee issues are likely deemed far worse than what his French teammate is dealing with.

2. Lisandro Martinez - Argentina

Lisandro Martinez will be out of action for an extended period due to an aggravation of the foot injury he suffered in April. The Argentinian defender experienced this in Manchester United's game against Arsenal earlier this month but he continued playing in the next two games against Brighton & Hove Albion and Bayern Munich. But it is determined that he needs to be sidelined for a couple of more weeks, continuing injury problems for Manchester United.

1. Declan Rice - England

Arsenal suffered a big blow in the north London derby as Declan Rice was forced off at halftime of the 2-2 draw with Tottenham. Rice suffered a back injury and the England international midfielder looked disappointed as he was walking around the Emirates Stadium after the game, Rice was the one player providing defensively solidity and steel to balance their incredible attacking talents after losing Xhaka before the start of the season. Gareth Southgate will miss Rice in the midfield.