Benzema, Robben Among Top 5 Stars to Miss Euro 2016
From allegations of racism to horrible injuries, there are several reasons that ruin the dreams of top stars. Euro 2016 will also have its share of missing superstars.
It's every footballer's worst nightmare -- missing a major tournament and losing the chance to become a national hero. Seeing your favourite footballer sit out makes even the most hardened fans cringe. With a number of superstars set to miss Euro 2016, NDTV.com takes a look at the five stars who could have set the world alight this summer.
1.   Karim Benzema
At the peak of his powers and a Champions League winner in two of the last three seasons, the 28-year old Karim Benzema is among the very best strikers in world football. With him playing up-front in a team that would also comprise of Antoine Griezmann and Paul Pogba made facing France a truly frightening prospect. Rather bizarrely, however, the Real Madrid striker has been suspended indefinitely by the French Football Federation, following his alleged involvement in blackmailing international teammate Mathieu Valbuena. France will host the tournament without their star striker, with Olivier Giroud shouldering much of the goal-scoring responsibility.
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2.   Marco Reus
Few footballers possess the pace and guile of Marco Reus. Touted for big things, the German winger's career has been blighted by injury. On the back of one of his most prolific campaigns, Reus had laid his claim to start in Joachim Loew's XI. A groin injury, however, ruled him out of the Euros, just as a thigh and ankle injuries sidelined him leading up to the World Cups of 2010 and 2014, respectively. Regardless of whether the Borussia Dortmund man is unlucky or simply fragile, his omission from Euro 2016 will truly deprive the German side of quality and skill on the left wing.
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3.   Arjen Robben
The Netherlands are the biggest team to not qualify for Euro 2016 -- and Arjen Robben, their deadliest asset. The Bayern Munich winger has made a habit out of leaving defenders bamboozled by his magical left foot. The Dutchman misses out owing to a poor qualifying campaign, of which, he missed crucial games against Turkey and the Czech Republic through injury. Fans will not get a chance to witness the magician cutting in, before curling an effort into the top corner this summer. Persistent groin injuries have sidelined the 32-year old; and it looks increasingly likely that the Dutch national side may have seen the last of Robben, while the Euros could well have been a befitting swansong.
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4.   Vincent Kompany
Captain of Belgium and Manchester City, Vincent Kompany is a quality centre-back and the leader of the dressing room. Set to lead a Belgium side packed with young talent, Kompany was ruled out for four months, following groin and thigh surgeries. Despite having the likes of Thomas Vermaelen, Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld in defence, Belgium will sorely miss Vincent Kompany the leader, with stand-in captain Eden Hazard set to become the youngest to skipper the Belgian Red Devils.
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5.   Diego Costa
A hamstring injury ruled him out of Chelsea's final two league games last season. However, the dearth of strikers in the Spanish squad makes Vicente del Bosque's decision to omit Costa a rather surprising one. In his absence, young Alvaro Morata will get minutes, while veteran striker Aritz Aduriz will look to continue his good form. Despite a disastrous campaign with Chelsea, Costa is being tipped for a return to Atletico Madrid. A combative and prolific forward, Costa would walk into most teams at Euro 2016.