Get the biggest City stories, analysis and transfer updates delivered straight to your inbox Invalid Email Something went wrong, please try again later. Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Leroy Sane can only have been left out of the German World Cup squad for 'non-footballing reasons', according to Michael Ballack. The former Bayern Munich and Chelsea midfielder believes there must be another reason the Manchester City star was excluded from the 23-man squad after an incredible domestic season. Sane has never been able to replicate his club form at international level, however Ballack does not believe it should be a factor given his incredible individual talents. While Ballack still believes Joachim Low's side 'is strong enough' to secure victory in Russia, he says Sane's abilities would make him a key player in the latter stages of the tournament. “We have really good players but there is a space for him in that squad - even if he didn’t perform in the same way as he did for Man City," Ballack told The Sun. "For me struggling is normal when you’re young and join a really good team, the world champions. "Jogi Low sticks to players he has experience with, who he can trust, who have already delivered but I think in this squad there are already a lot of new players which were not there four years ago. "When you talk about quality and football, he has to be part of the team. But he made a different decision and we have to respect it. "There is speculation it could be something behind the scenes which he was not really happy about. Also it could be a longer term decision as he was injured for the Confederations Cup. "Low said he had nothing to complain about Sane's attitude and simply went for Julian Brandt instead but I don’t feel you have to do that because Sane is not a player for one position." "The squad is still strong enough. "But in my opinion he is so good he can make a difference - especially in the quarter finals, semi-finals, final when it comes to equal opponents like Spain, Brazil and France. "Then, he is a key player who can make the difference - I still think Germany are strong enough to win without Sane, but that’s not saying they would lose with him. "I was looking forward to seeing him in a World Cup because when we talk about stars he’s one of these players who actually is mentioned in the top 10 for young players and it’s not nice for the fans to not see him."<doc-sep>LEROY SANE stunned Germany team-mates with his big-time attitude before getting axed from the World Cup. The Manchester City forward was heading back to England yesterday after Joachim Low left him out of his squad for Russia. 4 Leroy Sane was axed from Germany's World Cup squad due to his ego Credit: Reuters And Sane’s behaviour around the holders’ camp was a major factor. The 22-year-old played poorly in Saturday’s defeat by Austria but was still a shock exclusion. It came after Sane lifted the title with City and was named PFA Young Player of the Year. A change in his attitude was noticed in team meetings and around the German camp. It is believed Low risked upsetting other members of his squad by picking Sane — and was happy to stand by his brave decision. 4 The Manchester City star was a shock omission from Germany's 23-man squad Credit: AP:Associated Press Sane only broke into the Germany team after they won the last World Cup. The City star was tipped to join the likes of Brazilian Neymar as one of football’s biggest personalities in Russia. Now he will spend the summer away from the biggest tournament on the globe. But he is still set for City contract talks, which were planned post-World Cup. Amazing pass and move team goal from Manchester City at Arsenal with Leroy Sane finishing it off 4 Sane was left behind to keep morale up due to his poor attitude in training Credit: EPA 4 Sane won the title with City this season and was named PFA Young Player of the Year Credit: Getty<doc-sep>With Anthony Martial and Leroy Sane among those missing the cut for World Cup squads on Monday, we pick the best XI of players who will not be on the plane to Russia. Manchester City midfielder Sane was a shock omission when the final 23-man Germany squad was announced on June 4, while France's Anthony Martial was one of the other big names who was not included, from those who were fit and available to play for their respective countries. Here, we take a look at 11 players who make up a strong XI, but will not be featuring at the World Cup... Goalkeeper - Joe Hart (England) Hart had a torrid campaign on loan at West Ham, dropping in and out of the side throughout the season. He played just eight games in all competitions in 2018, leaving Gareth Southgate with no choice but to exclude the goalkeeper from his England squad. Speaking about his omission, Hart said on Instagram: "Not going to lie, I'm gutted. After two years of trying to make the most of a really tough situation, this is hard to take. I'm proud to have put in the graft and play every minute to qualify with the team and have a really important input in that outcome. I know what I bring to the team, but it is what it is." Defender - Marcos Alonso (Spain) In a so-so season for Chelsea, Alonso was one of the stand-out performers, scoring seven Premier League goals alongside his defensive duties - the most by a defender in the league. His omission from the Spain squad came as somewhat of a surprise, although he only made his international debut in March 2018, with the named defenders in the 23-man squad having much more experience. Defender - David Luiz (Brazil) A player who has plenty of international pedigree, Luiz has been capped over 50 times for Brazil, but will not play for his country in Russia after missing the last three months of the season for Chelsea. It is not the first time he has been left out by Brazil for a major tournament though, also missing the Copa America Centenario in 2016. Defender - Aymeric Laporte (France) Image: Man City defender Aymeric Laporte is yet to win a senior cap for France Laporte is yet to make a senior appearance for France, so his omission is not up there with the biggest surprises. He was included in the squad for World Cup qualifiers in September 2017, but did not make it onto the field, and there was talk beforehand that he could switch his senior allegiance to Spain. He made nine Premier League appearances for Manchester City after his January move from Athletic Bilbao, and will be hoping for a regular spot next season to help push for a place in Didier Deschamps' side. Midfield - Fabinho (Brazil) Liverpool fans will need to wait a few more months before they catch their new signing Fabinho in action after he was left out of Brazil's squad. The midfielder has four senior caps to his name and was named in the last two Copa America teams, although did not feature at either tournament. He is yet to be called up by current Brazil manager Tite, despite being ever-present for Monaco over the last few seasons and producing some of the best goal returns of his career. Image: Fabinho has recently signed for Liverpool, but will not feature for Brazil Midfield - Jack Wilshere (England) Arguably the biggest omission from the England squad, Wilshere's return to form for Arsenal in the 2017/18 season was not enough to secure him a spot in Southgate's World Cup side. The midfielder had been selected for friendlies earlier this year, but failed to make the final cut after much speculation over whether he should be included. Following the announcement of the final 23-man England squad, Wilshere tweeted: "It goes without saying that I'm naturally incredibly disappointed to have been left out of the England squad for the World Cup. I've felt fit, sharp and strong all season and believe I should be in the squad! And given the chance I could have made a real impact." Think its about time I had my say... It goes without saying that I’m naturally incredibly disappointed to have been left out of the England squad for the World Cup. I’ve felt fit, sharp and strong all season and believe I should be in the squad! — Jack Wilshere (@JackWilshere) May 17, 2018 And given the chance i could have made a real inpact. However, I have to respect the manager’s decision and would like to wish the whole squad all the very best for the tournament. I will always be an England fan and will be supporting the boys with the rest of the nation 🦁🦁🦁 — Jack Wilshere (@JackWilshere) May 17, 2018 Midfield - Radja Nainggolan (Belgium) It was a shock for many when Nainggolan failed to make Belgium's 28-man provisional squad, although he has a chequered relationship with manager Roberto Martinez. After he was not selected for qualifiers in September 2017, the midfielder announced his international retirement, only to be called-up by Martinez for friendly fixtures in November. However, he pulled out due to injury and has not made an appearance since. After another snub for the World Cup, he once again retired, having won 30 caps for his country. Midfield - Leroy Sane (Germany) The PFA Young Player of the Year hit 14 goals and provided 19 assists in all competitions for Manchester City last season as they stormed to the Premier League title with a record 100 points and he was a shock omission when Germany announced their final squad on June 4. Asked about Sane's omission, Low said: "It was a very tight decision between him and Julian Brandt (of Bayer Leverkusen) which went in favour of Brandt. There are better days in the life of a national team coach, when you have to send four amazing players, who deserve to be at the World Cup, home." Forward - Anthony Martial (France) Currently on standby for France, Martial has suffered for an up and down season with Manchester United, where he started 18 of the 38 Premier League games. He was included in the Euro 2016 squad - playing in three games - but still just 22 years old, this is certainly not the beginning of the end for his international career and still has many years ahead to make a World Cup squad. Forward - Mauro Icardi (Argentina) Even after scoring 29 Serie A goals in 34 games for Inter in the 2017/18 season, Icardi was not included in Argentina's 23-man squad, showing the incredible attacking depth they have. Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero, Paulo Dybala and Gonzalo Higuain are the men chosen up front, and while you cannot argue with the quality chosen over him, his wife Wanda gave it a go. She told Argentinian radio station Perros de la Calle: "Maybe now isn't the time, but he's calmly waiting for his chance to play. These are things with no explanation, what's happening to Mauro is an injustice - he deserves to be there. He has everything to be in the national team, in terms of age and performance." Forward - Alvaro Morata (Spain) Image: Alvaro Morata has a good scoring record for Spain, but has not replicated this with Chelsea It has been a frustrating season for Morata since his move to Chelsea and has failed to find his feet, netting just 11 Premier League goals in 31 games. However, he has a good history of scoring for Spain, having netted 12 goals in 17 appearances in 2016 and 2017, including three goals at the Euros. But this has not guaranteed him a place in Russia, with the likes of former Real Madrid team-mates Isco and Marco Asensio plus ex-Chelsea striker Diego Costa preferred instead. Who would you have in your missing XI of World Cup players? Remember, they have to be countries going to the tournament and players who are fit but were not selected. Comment below on skysports.com and let us know!<doc-sep>
Let's be real here. Leroy Sane must be have been absolutely fuming after Joachim Low decided to leave him out of Germany's 23-man squad to go to The World Cup. Despite his omission from the squad, though, Sane has reacted like the ultimate professional after missing out on a place at this month's tournament in Russia. No Sane? Not sane. - Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) June 4, 2018 He took to Twitter on Tuesday to release the following statement: Advert 10 "Thank you so much everyone for your encouraging messages yesterday and today." he said via his official Twitter. "I'm obviously disappointed I won't participate in the World Cup but I have to accept this decision and I'll give it my all to bounce back stronger. "Nothing but the best to the team in Russia. Go get that title!" Advert 10 Germany manager Low opted to leave PFA Young Player of the Year and Premier League winner Leroy Sane out of his 23-man squad and as a result, the football world has reacted accordingly. Sane, who was prolific for Manchester City under Pep Guardiola this season, was a strong favourite to be included in a Germany's side set to conquer the World Cup later this month. But it seems Bayer Leverkusen winger Julian Brandt beat him to a place on the plane. Being told Leroy Sane isn't as effective as some of those included in the Germany squad... Julian Brandt: - 8 Goals - 3 Assists - 33 Successful Take-Ons Leroy Sane: - 14 Goals - 17 Assists - 112 Successful Take-Ons pic.twitter.com/WlOyYkrodb - :bee: (@Beardamendi) June 4, 2018 Advert 10 Shortly after his team was announced, Joachim Low explained his reasoning behind the somewhat controversial decision: "That was a very close decision between him and Julian Brandt, which was made in favor of Brandt, Draxler Reus and Müller are set. Leroy has a huge talent. "He will be back again from September. He had not arrived in international matches yet." Loading… Advert 10