Victor Osimhen and 10 other players who have pulled out of the international friendlies

From Lionel Messi to Cristiano Ronaldo and Victor Osimhen here are 11 players who have pulled out of the international friendlies fixtures with their national side.

The list of players pulling out of international friendlies due to one reason or the other has continued to increase with some of the biggest names set to miss the international break fixtures for their national side. The Super Eagles of Nigeria is one of the national teams that has suffered a devastating blow with three players including Victor Osimhen missing out of the international friendlies fixtures against Mali and Ghana. With this in mind, we have compiled a list of Victor Osimhen and 10 other players who have pulled out of the international friendlies due to injuries or fatigue.

Players who will miss the international friendlies

Lionel Messi Argentina/ Inter Miami
Cristiano Ronaldo Portugal/ Al Nassr (missing the game against Sweden)
Victor Osimhen Nigeria/ Napoli
Taiwo Awoniyi Nigeria/ Nottingham Forest
Gabriel Osho Nigeria/ Luton Town
Thomas Partey Ghana/ Arsenal
Antoine Griezmann France/ Atletico Madrid
Gabriel Martinelli Brazil/ Arsenal
Gabriel Brazil/ Arsenal
Darwin Nunez Uruguay/ Liverpool
Andreas Christensen Denmark/ Barcelona

Why would Victor Osimhen miss the international friendlies for Nigeria?

Victor Osimhen in Napoli's white away jersey celebrating his goal for the club

It has been reported that Victor Osimhen is set to miss Nigeria's international friendlies fixture due to his current injury status. The Napoli star was not available for Napoli in their final game before the international break as he was an unused substitute on the bench. The club's caretaker manager, Francesco Calzona, confirmed that the player's match fitness was on point. However, the player has an inflammation of the scar from an old injury, due to which he has not fully recovered yet. His name is not on the list of players released on international duty by Napoli. As a result, the forward will have to continue his recovery at Castel Volturno for at least two weeks to regain his full fitness.

Is Cristiano Ronaldo injured?

According to ESPN Cristiano Ronaldo will not be available for Portugal in their first international friendlies fixture against Sweden. However, it was clarified that this decision was not as a result of any injury sustained by Ronaldo but was a decision of the head coach and it was indicated that the Al Nassr forward would be available for the second game.