Cesc Fabregas Proposes World Cup Absent XI Play Argentina In Friendly

Argentina's scheduled friendly with Israel was postponed in light of the ill-treatment over Palestinians in Gaza, with the Israeli Embassy in Argentina also confirming there had been threats made against captain Lionel Messi.

Because of the violence and human rights abuse going on, cancelling the controversial warm-up game was absolutely the correct decision - and one striker Gonzalo Higuaín concurred with.

However, the postponement means Argentina will not play another friendly before they play against Iceland on 16 June, which is rather concerning.

Image: PA

That forced Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas to jokingly propose an XI of players not going to the World Cup to play against Jorge Sampaoli's side.

The former Arsenal and Barcelona midfielder was a key part of the 2010 side that went all the way under Vicente Del Bosque but these days is extremely far down the pecking order - with about six or seven central midfielders ahead of him.

But as we know, Fabregas isn't the only talented household name not going to the World Cup - and you can field a star-studded side of those who will not be on the plane to Russia.

An XI of players who didn't qualify:

Image: Line Up Builder

An XI of players who weren't selected for their countries:

Image: Line Up Builder

The BBC created a side featuring many of those whose nations did not qualify, such as Gianluigi Buffon, Eric Bailly, Edin Dzeko and Gareth Bale - as well as the likes of Leroy Sane, Mario Gotze and Radja Nainggolan - who were all overlooked by their respective managers.

Fabregas was in the side along with his compatriots Hector Bellerin and Marcos Alonso. He decided to reply to Fox Sports Argentina's tweet and simply write, "We are available".

Someone questioned Cesc as to why Bailly was in the side and he simply said it was the first team he came across:

While it would be a great concept, it's never happening in a million years of course and La Albiceleste will only have to use their training sessions to get geared up for the showpiece.

Topics: Football News, Football, Lionel Messi, Cesc Fabregas, 2018 World Cup, Argentina, World Cup

Josh Lawless

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