Nainggolan fails to make cut for Belgium squad

Radja Nainggolan is a surprise omission from Belgium's World Cup this summer. Roberto Martinez has named his final 23-man squad and Roma midfielder Nainggolan is a victim of the cull; with Martinez opting for a youthful looking squad.

Nainggolan has now announced he has retired from international football.

"Radja Nainggolan is a top player. The reason is tactical," said Belgium manager Roberto Martinez.

"In the past two years the team has worked in a specific manner. Other players had those roles.

"We know Radja has a very important role in his club and we cannot give him that role in our squad."

Belgium Squad

Goalkeepers: Koen Casteels (Wolfsburg), Thibaut Courtois (Chelsea), Simon Mignolet (Liverpool), Matz Sels (Newcastle United).

Defenders: Toby Alderweireld (Tottenham Hotspur), Dedryck Boyata (Celtic), Laurent Ciman (Los Angeles FC), Christian Kabasele (Watford), Vincent Kompany (Manchester City), Jordan Lukaku (Lazio), Thomas Meunier (Paris St-Germain), Thomas Vermaelen (Barcelona), Jan Vertonghen (Tottenham Hotspur).

Midfielders: Yannick Carrasco (Dalian Yifang), Kevin de Bruyne (Manchester City), Mousa Dembele (Tottenham Hotspur), Leander Dendoncker (Anderlecht), Marouane Fellaini (Manchester United), Eden Hazard (Chelsea), Thorgan Hazard (Borussia Monchengladbach), Adnan Januzaj (Real Sociedad), Dries Mertens (Napoli), Youri Tielemans (Monaco), Axel Witsel (Tianjin Quanjian).

Forwards: Michy Batshuayi (Chelsea), Christian Benteke (Crystal Palace), Nacer Chadli (West Brom), Romelu Lukaku (Manchester United).