Being overlooked for your national team is a huge blow to an elite footballer. But it does have a silver lining.
The two week pause provides a rare opportunity for a break from the game.
But how footballers choose to spend that time varies wildly. For some its an opportunity to go dolphin watching, for others a chance to do some ironing.
More: Football
Here, we take a look at how those overlooked for the current internationals have been spending the break…
Chelsea striker Alvaro Morata has been enduring a difficult spell with his club, so much so he was overlooked for Spains friendlies with Germany and Brazil. However, the striker didnt look too upset by the snub as he enjoyed a break in Dubai with his pregnant wife Alice Campello.
Brazilian superstar Neymar wasnt an option for the current international break as he continues to recover from foot surgery. The rehabilitation hasnt stopped him from having fun though.
Incredibly, Argentina overlooked Juventus striker Paulo Dybala such is the attacking quality available to manager Jorge Sampaoli. He took the opportunity to go shopping with his family.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic retired from international duty after Euro 2016, but he still made use of the break in domestic football to quit Manchester United and sign for LA Galaxy.
Manchester United defender Chris Smalling isnt fancied by Gareth Southgate so it came as little surprise he was overlooked for Englands games with Netherlands and Italy. He went dolphin watching in the Maldives.
Liverpool midfielder James Milner used the break to play golf and do some ironing. Classic Milner.
The international break also provides a breather for the managers, with Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho heading to Basel. There he attended a wristwatch event and hung out with Usain Bolt and Diego Maradona.
For some players however, nothing would stop them meeting up with their national team. Sergio Ramos welcomed his third child over the weekend, yet still managed to play for Spain on Friday night and then hook back up with his team-mates just hours after the birth to prepare for a game with Brazil.
Con enorme alegría os presentamos a Alejandro. Ha nacido (el domingo de Ramos
) a las 18:24h y ha pesado 3,1kg. La mamá y el pequeñajo están estupendamente. Gracias a todos. Te quiero, @PilarRubio_
We are very happy to introduce you to Alejandro.Thank you for sharing our joy pic.twitter.com/Pm3dvDDniS— Sergio Ramos (@SergioRamos) March 25, 2018
He made an extraordinary effort to come to training when he could have skipped it, said Spain manager Julen Lopetegui.
MORE: Arsenal have made no formal approaches to potential Arsene Wenger replacements
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Being overlooked for your national team is a huge blow to an elite footballer. But it does have a silver lining.
The two week pause provides a rare opportunity for a break from the game.
But how footballers choose to spend that time varies wildly. For some its an opportunity to go dolphin watching, for others a chance to do some ironing.
More: Football
Here, we take a look at how those overlooked for the current internationals have been spending the break…
Chelsea striker Alvaro Morata has been enduring a difficult spell with his club, so much so he was overlooked for Spains friendlies with Germany and Brazil. However, the striker didnt look too upset by the snub as he enjoyed a break in Dubai with his pregnant wife Alice Campello.
Brazilian superstar Neymar wasnt an option for the current international break as he continues to recover from foot surgery. The rehabilitation hasnt stopped him from having fun though.
Incredibly, Argentina overlooked Juventus striker Paulo Dybala such is the attacking quality available to manager Jorge Sampaoli. He took the opportunity to go shopping with his family.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic retired from international duty after Euro 2016, but he still made use of the break in domestic football to quit Manchester United and sign for LA Galaxy.
Manchester United defender Chris Smalling isnt fancied by Gareth Southgate so it came as little surprise he was overlooked for Englands games with Netherlands and Italy. He went dolphin watching in the Maldives.
Liverpool midfielder James Milner used the break to play golf and do some ironing. Classic Milner.
The international break also provides a breather for the managers, with Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho heading to Basel. There he attended a wristwatch event and hung out with Usain Bolt and Diego Maradona.
For some players however, nothing would stop them meeting up with their national team. Sergio Ramos welcomed his third child over the weekend, yet still managed to play for Spain on Friday night and then hook back up with his team-mates just hours after the birth to prepare for a game with Brazil.
Con enorme alegría os presentamos a Alejandro. Ha nacido (el domingo de Ramos
We are very happy to introduce you to Alejandro.Thank you for sharing our joy pic.twitter.com/Pm3dvDDniS— Sergio Ramos (@SergioRamos) March 25, 2018
He made an extraordinary effort to come to training when he could have skipped it, said Spain manager Julen Lopetegui.
MORE: Arsenal have made no formal approaches to potential Arsene Wenger replacements
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