World Cup veterans Javier Zanetti, Juan Sebastian Veron and Fernando Morientes are others who would walk onto most squads, but were unlucky enough to have overwhelming competition for their positions.

Dudek was left off Poland’s squad a year after his crucial shootout saves helped Liverpool beat AC Milan in the Champions League final. He lost his place at the English club to Pepe Reina – Spain’s third choice for the World Cup – and started only five league games all season.

Unfortunately for him, Artur Boruc starred on Celtic’s Scottish league–winning team while Lukasz Fabianski of Legia Warsaw and Tomasz Kuszczak of West Brom also had strong seasons.

“He is a definitely a very good ‘keeper, but the issue was he played in only a couple matches and we wanted goalkeepers who all played,” Poland coach Pawel Janas said. While Dudek may have expected the disappointment – he tried to leave Liverpool to get more playing time – Demichelis was shocked to be left off Argentina’s squad.

“It’s not only that I don’t have any desire to play anymore,” the Bayern Munich midfielder said. “I don’t have any desire to live.”

Zanetti, also a midfielder, was omitted despite having played at the last two World Cups. Argentina’s first–round exit in 2002 may have persuaded coach Jose Pekerman to rely heavily on players he led to three world youth championships.

“Nobody told me what I did wrong to be left out,” Zanetti said. “I’m at peace because I did everything in my power to be there and I always answered the call of the national team when they needed me.”

Seedorf and midfielder Edgar Davids were both left off the Netherlands’ squad, making this the first tournament since 1992 their country has competed at a major tournament without the pair. What’s more, the top native scorers in this season’s Dutch and English leagues were left at home, too. Netherlands coach Marco Van Basten left off Klaas–Jan Huntelaar, calling him “unlucky” despite scoring 33 goals in 34 games.