The Great World Cup Worrydown Commences

April 23rd, 2010 | by: chris | View Comments

As the World Cup comes closer, there’s a palpable excitement which can be felt across all the seas, all the world. It’s called the vuvuzela, and its palpability is that feeling in the ass of your chair as the buzz rocks the globe off its axis.

But really, good times are a-comin’ for many, and there’s little which can detract from the swell of excitement which is due as the world’s greatest tournament inches closer.

Unfortunately for some, that “little” has come: injuries, and they’re rocking some national teams off their axis like a planetary vuvuzela.

This is the point when normally mundane injuries become a fight for fitness, and even a fight for a place. Some coaches would shun their own superstar children if not of the required fitness, so fitness is not merely desired, but necessary for a ticket to South Africa. So from here on out, every injury to a prospective member of South Africa’s fines is worth viewing in the Hubble telescope.

Today, sadly, Ivica Dragutinovic was removed from the World Cup by a torn Achilles in training with Sevilla. In fact it’s the same injury suffered by notable absentee David Beckham, which he’ll have operated on by the very same doctor. They’re also both 34, which means the law of three states another 34 year old on the outs of his international career will suffer a torn Achilles before the World Cup. Prayers and requests should be sent to your local shaman.

Michael Essien has put his status up in the air with his Chelsea season – a title-chasing season – now over, and the race for fitness now beginning.

Spain will be sweating over the fitness of both Cesc and Fernando Torres, though both are likely to show, and likely more sweat in the case of the latter. Del Bosque and Co. want not for midfield creativity and can afford to throw on, oh, I don’t know…Andres Iniesta. Who, speaking of, is also nursing a ‘niggling’ injury which keeps popping up and is worth watching for the tournament.

There are plenty others now, too many to list, but we’ll just leave you, and football clubs all over the world, with this:

Striker Fernando Torres has denied putting country before club after having a second knee operation which ended his Liverpool season.

There will be lots of injuries, and every single one of them should, and likely will, put the World Cup ahead of their clubs. Lead the line, Fernando.