photo by Ben Queenborough/ISIphotos.com
By FRANCO PANIZO
Giuseppe Rossi has yet to play in a World Cup, but that could change this summer.
Rossi was included in the 30-man Italy roster that head coach Cesar Prandelli released on Tuesday despite only recently returning from injury, and the New Jersey-born forward will compete for a spot on the squad with the likes of Ciro Immobile, Mattia Destro and Antonio Cassano.
The 27-year-old Fiorentina striker suffered a right knee injury in January and missed four months of action before returning to the field late in the Serie A campaign. He played in three games at the end of the season, and finished with 15 goals in 20 appearances.
Here is more World Cup roster news from around the globe:
NASRI FAILS TO MAKE CUT IN FRANCE
In one of the bigger surprises from Tuesday, Samir Nasri was left off France’s 23-man roster.
Nasri was not included in the Brazil-bound squad or in the list of seven reserves that France coach Didier Deschamps revealed, and the reasoning for that was because the midfielder has not played as well for Les Bleus as he has for Manchester City and is not content with coming off the bench.
“Samir’s performances with the France team were not at the level of his performances with his club,” said Deschamps. “He’s an important player and a regular starter at Manchester City. That’s not the case today with the France team, and he also said he’s not happy when he’s a substitute.
“I can tell you that you can feel it in the squad. Because of those two or three reasons, I decided not to select him in this squad.”
Among the notable players included in France’s roster were Franck Ribery, Karim Benzema and Patrice Erva.
FALCAO INCLUDED IN COLOMBIA’S PRELIMINARY ROSTER
Radamel Falcao’s World Cup dreams are not over just yet.
Falcao, who is recovering from a serious knee injury sustained in January, was among the 30 players selected by Colombia manager Jose Pekerman. The Monaco striker has yet to return to full training, but there is still the hope that he can be healthy enough to contribute in Brazil this summer.
The other forwards included in the preliminary squad are Carlos Bacca, Adrian Ramos, Luis Fernando Muriel, Teofilo Gutierrez and Jackson Martinez.
SPAIN NAME 18 PLAYERS FROM 2010 TEAM TO PROVISIONAL SQUAD
Spain’s team this summer might look very similar to the one that lifted the World Cup trophy four years ago.
Vicente del Bosque announced a provisional 30-man squad that includes 18 players from the 2010 side that won the World Cup. Some of the returning players are David Villa, Fernando Torres, Xavi and Andres Iniesta.
The roster is expected to be cut down to the final 23 on May 25.
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Do you see Rossi making Italy’s final 23-man squad? Surprised Nasri was left off France’s team? Think Falcao makes it and sees time in the World Cup this summer?
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