‘I am heartbroken’: Devastated Paul Arriola takes to social media after being left off the USA World Cup roster and admits: ‘The past few days have been the hardest I’ve had in a while’

Paul Arriola has admitted he is ‘heartbroken’ at being left out of the USA’s World Cup squad for this month’s tournament in Qatar by coach Gregg Berhalter.

In an emotional post on social media hours after the 26-man roster was announced, Arriola said: ‘The past few days have been extremely difficult. Some of the hardest I’ve had in a while. 

‘I am heartbroken not to be included on the final World Cup roster. This year my goal was to put myself in the best position possible to get to this point and I believe I did, unfortunately it wasn’t enough. 

Paul Arriola has admitted he is 'heartbroken' at being left out of the USA's World Cup team

Paul Arriola has admitted he is ‘heartbroken’ at being left out of the USA’s World Cup team

‘Being around the national team for years, you learn that it is such a privilege to represent your country and I know I have never taken it for granted. 

‘The one thing I know for sure is that I will be rooting for my teammates when they play and I hope our country comes together to support this amazing group. 

‘Thank you to all who have reached out to me and sent their support. GO USA’.

Berhalter was quizzed about Arriola’s omission on Wednesday and said: ‘I don’t think there’s been enough talk about Paul. That was another really, really difficult decision to make. 

‘(It was a) Really painful conversation with him, because he was there since day one. He’s been involved in a lot of these competitive games that we’ve been playing. 

‘You know, for one reason or another, we haven’t always had our wingers fit and available. Now as we lead up to the World Cup, every one of those players was fit and available. And it just made that Paul was the odd man out. 

USA coach Gregg Berhalter admitted that it was tough to tell Arriola he had been left out

USA coach Gregg Berhalter admitted that it was tough to tell Arriola he had been left out 

‘And it sucks, it’s the worst thing to have to tell him that. We feel that there’s other players – those other wingers that are ahead of him. Jordan (Morris) over this last four years had two ACLs, Tim Weah’s had an extensive injury time, Gio Reyna’s had an extensive injury time. Christian (Pulisic)’s been injured for a while. And now everyone’s back. 

‘And that’s the worst possible thing, man: when this guy’s been with us since day one and you’ve got to tell him that he’s not coming to the World Cup.’

The 27-year-old winger Arriola has played 48 times for his country, scoring 10 goals. 

The USA’s World Cup campaign starts on Nov. 21 against Wales and Berhalter’s team will then go on and play against England and Iran in a bid to make the knockout stages.

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Post source: Daily mail

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