Image Credits: Imago Images
The latest edition of the FIFA World Cup is just around the corner.
Kicking off on the 11th June, the tournament will be held in the United States, Mexico and Canada and will conclude on the 19th July.
UK ONLY
Fans across the world have been eagerly awaiting the release of the squads that will face off against each other for the biggest prize of all.
Several players who are currently employed by Liverpool are heading across the Atlantic Ocean but there is one man who used to don the Red of Liverpool who is also a notable inclusion this summer.
Marcelo Bielsa has released Uruguay’s squad for the tournament and Darwin Nunez has been included.
The Uruguayan departed Liverpool last summer after making 143 appearances and scoring 40 goals.
He joined Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal but he has had a hugely unsuccessful season there.
After being signed to be what appeared to be a key signing for his new club, their purchase of Karim Benzema in December led to Nunez’s removal from Al-Hilal’s Saudi Pro League squad and Nunez has been itching for a move away ever since.
Despite the lack of playing time and consistency at club level, Bielsa remains a fan of Darwin Nunez and a demonstration of that faith is his inclusion in his squad.
Another former Liverpool player who was a legendary figure for the club was Luis Suarez and despite recently admitting that he’d always be open to a return to the national team, Bielsa has decided not to include him in his squad for the World Cup.
Speaking in April, Luis Suarez said: “You start thinking about it today, turning it over in your mind, and with the World Cup near, if they need you … what do you do? I will never say no to my country, never will I say no to my country.”
“I retired from the national team to make way for other players, and because I felt that a moment had arrived when I could no longer be of use to the squad. But if they need me, I will never say no to the national team. That is impossible — as long as I am still playing, as long as I remain active.”
Uruguay will begin their World Cup with a fixture against Saudi Arabia on 15th June.