L'Equipe’s Best XI Of Absent Players From Euro 2020 Is Absolutely Unbeatable

French newspaper L'Equipe have put together a best XI of European players missing Euro 2020 - and it might be absolutely unbeatable.

The mixture of overlooked players, stars from countries who haven't qualified plus the odd unluckily injured player is genuinely mouth-watering to look at. L'Equipe's missing men XI is - arguably - as strong as anything you can pick from the actual tournament.

It stars Europe's best goalkeeper for a start in Jan Oblak, as Slovenia did not qualify. The Atletico Madrid stopper is behind an elite-level back four of Trent Alexander-Arnold (injured), Sergio Ramos (not selected), Virgil van Dijk (injured) and Theo Hernandez (not selected).

The midfield features highly-rated French prospect Eduardo Camavinga (not selected), Sergej Milinkovic-Savic (Serbia did not qualify) and rising Hungarian star Dominik Szoboszlai (injured).

But it's the attack that's truly all-star with Marco Reus (who turned down a Germany call-up) playing behind Sweden's record goalscorer Zlatan Ibrahimovic (injured) and Borussia Dortmund's goal-wrecking Erling Haaland (Norward did not qualify).

Frankly, the size and skill of Haaland and Zlatan would be enough to terrorise any defence. Unless that defence contained Ramos and Van Dijk - as this one does - two of Europe's elite defenders over recent years.

There are other players that L'Equipe could have included in an all-European line-up, including Barcelona's German keeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen (injured) or the French duo of Ferland Mendy and Anthony Martial.

Barca prodigy Ansu Fati and Real Madrid defender Danl Carvajal are also absent for Spain, while Manchester United teenager Mason Greenwood isn't going with England.

But we think L'Equipe have got the line-up pretty much spot on. Is there an all-Euro 2020 XI that would best this absentee team?

Let us know in the comments.

All imagery: PA Images

Topics: Trent Alexander-Arnold, Sergio Ramos, Jan Oblak, Football, Euro 2020, Marco Reus, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Erling Haaland, Eduardo Camavinga, Virgil Van Dijk, Theo Hernandez

Alex Reid

Alex Reid is a writer at SPORTbible who’s previously strung words together for FourFourTwo, Boxing News, The Guardian and, yes, Cruise International (it’s about big ships, not Tom). Interests range from football and boxing to real sports like WWE and darts. He is not a cage fighter.

@otheralexreid