10 Greatest Footballers Of All Time Who Didn't Lift The World Cup

These Great Football Players Didn't Get a Chance to Lift the World Cup

Lifting the World Cup can be the defining moment of any footballer’s life. Some of the finest footballers have gotten the opportunity to win the World Cup for their nation while others came within touching distance and yet couldn’t take it home. These great players had long football careers in reputed clubs where they mesmerized everyone with their talents. They represented their countries in the World Cup and were popular across the world due to their game. Here’s our list of the greatest football players who didn't get a chance to kiss the World Cup...

1. Cristiano Ronaldo

Different people have different sentiments for this person. However, one thing that everybody will unanimously agree on is the fact that he is one of the greatest football players right now and deserves the World Cup. Having won almost every prestigious award to trophy, this is one sad omission from his portfolio. At almost 38 years old now, it looks like he will not be getting another chance. The closest he came to winning the World Cup was in 2006 when Portugal reached the semi-finals.

2. Alfredo Di Stefano 

The Argentina-born Spaniard was one of the greatest players of all time. Nicknamed "Sata rubia" which means "Blond Arrow." He is best known for his achievements with Real Madrid and was instrumental in the club's success in the Europen Cup and La Liga during the 1950s. He is one of the few players to have won all five European Cups. Unfortunately, he could never bring success to any of the national teams that he represented. He passed away on July 7, 2014.

3. Johan Cruyff

Johan Cruyff is regarded as one of the greatest players in history and has won the Ballo d'Or three times in 1971,1973 and 1974. He is the pioneer of the football philosophy known as Total Football developed by Ronus Michels, whom Cruyff also employed as a manager. The Dutch football legend has also achieved a lot as a manager and is known as one of the greatest managers of all time. After finishing third in UEFA Euro 1976, he did not play in the 1978 FIFA World Cup which means he ended his career without bagging one. 

4. Ferenc Puskás

The Hungarian footballer and manager is extremely renowned and he is the sport's one of the first international superstars. A forward and an attacking midfielder. He has won three European Cups and ten national championships. While he never won the FIFA World Cup, the organization did name an award after him. Ferenc Puskás is known for scoring 84 goals in 85 international matches for the Hungarian side. He reached the World Cup finals in 1954 only to lose against West Germany.

5. George Best

George Best is known for being one of the best wingers in the sport's history. The Manchester United legend was a skillful dribbler and was named European Footballer of the Year in 1968. He has won the Ballon d'Or and was amazing at his game until he wasn't. He lost his way and was addicted to alcohol in his late 30s, leading manager Billy Bingham to overlook the Irishman. He is undoubtedly one of the greatest players of all time who did not get the World Cup.

6. Paolo Maldini

The left-back who played the sport for 24 years straight and maintained his performance is none other than Maldini. Unfortunately, his World Cup journey did not have a happy ending. The Italian professional footballer is regarded as one of the greatest defenders of all time. Paolo Maldini retired at the age of 41 in 2009 without a World Cup. In the year 2004, he was chosen by Pele to be included in FIFA 100 greatest players of the 20th century.

7. Zlatan Ibrahimović

The former professional footballer is known for his strikes and volleys, technique, and also his control of the ball. Zlatan Ibrahimović has scored over 570 career goals. He has scored some really unbelievable goals like the 40-yard overhead kick in a 4-2 defeat of England. For a player of his reputation, unfortunately has an underwhelming history of World Cups. He is one of the eleven players to have made 100 or more appearances for the Swedish national team, over a 20-year international career. He first played for Sweden in the FIFA World Cup in 2002 but retired without bagging the trophy.

8. Zico

Another great player, the star of Brazil was known for making extraordinary plays on the field. With a strike rate of roughly two goals every three matches it's only a shocker that Arthur Antunes Coimbra also known as Zico has never been able to bag the World Cup. Zico is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time to have never won a World Cup. In the year 2004, he was included in the top 100 great players of all time by FIFA.

9. Eric Cantona

The French professional footballer is one of the stars of Manchester United and was a driving force in English football in the '90s. He was named by Pele in the FIFA 100 list in the year 2004. The tenacious player is known for playing as a center-forward and a deep-lying forward. He wore the iconic No. 7 jersey while he was in Manchester United and won the league championship in seven of his last eight full seasons as a professional. Unfortunately, the legend never lifted the World Cup. 

10. Andriy Shevchenko

One of the most dangerous strikers of all time, Ukrainian footballer Andriy Shevchenko was known for being a terrific player in both Dynamo Kyiv and Milan. He began by winning five league titles in a row before he signed for Milan. He also won the UEFA Champions League in 2003-04 and won various titles in Ukraine, Italy, and England. Unfortunately, he never won the FIFA World Cup but was named one of the top 100 greatest living footballers as part of FIFA's 100th anniversary.