Gareth Bale (Wales)
Sorry world, no overhead kicks from Bale this summer. At 28, the Welsh winger should get another chance to haul his country to a World Cup, but he hasn’t been able to match his club success. Wales did better than Austria in Group D, but it wasn’t enough.
Alexis Sanchez (Chile)
Manchester United will be excited at the prospect for a player who boasts arguably the most amount of stamina in world football getting a summer off. But Chile missed out on goal difference in CONMEBOL as Peru claimed the playoff spot.
Gianluigi Buffon (Italy)
No Champions League title, and no World Cup this summer after defeat to Sweden in the playoffs. Italy’s No. 1 deserved a better end to his career. Perhaps he’ll be back for 2022, aged 44?