They’re football legends but they’ll be watching the Euro 2008 on TV in their living room.

In France, striker David Trezeguet’s case is most emblematic; rated as this season’s second best scorer in Italy, he’s one of Juve’s ten best strikers. Despite these impressive stats, “Trezegoal” does not exist in Domenech’s era. Explanation? The one given by the French manager, who claims to have too many forwards at his disposal, will only irritate the fans of the player who scored the golden goal for les Bleus in 2000.

But David Trezeguet will not be the only major player missing from this Euro championship. In Spain, Raùl, Real Madrid’s long-standing captain and the national team’s best scorer with 44 goals to his credit, isn’t part of Luis Aragonés’ roster of players this time out.

In Germany, Mannschaft’s number two goalkeeper was left aside. Timo Hildebrand, Valencia’s goalkeeper suffered a rough season. Is that the reason which forced Joachim Low to leave him out?

Czech manager Karel Bruckner did not want to bring back Pavel Nedvêd into international play despite injured captain Tomas Rosicky’s absence. At 35, le ballon d’Or 2003 seems to be fully charged as he recently extended his contract with Juve for another year.

The Italians were enraged after Pipo Inzaghi was kept off the team. 2006 World Cup Champion, Milan AC’s sly forward, whose goals helped the club qualify for the UEFA cup, does not figure on Donadoni’s final list. Squadra Azzura’s manager preferred to pick Marco Boriello, a 25-year-old Genovese.
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Apart from their outstanding talent, all these players except Hildebrand have one thing in common – they’re in their thirties. Will the Euro 2008 be for the youth, represented by Cristiano Ronaldo – considered to be THE player of the championship by FRANCE 24 observers?