Buzz
Building on the widely debated 'Top 20 Football Players Of All Time' list, we now present the top 10 football stars who never had the opportunity to compete in a World Cup. Hopefully, this will help fill in some gaps from the previous list and bring more clarity to the discussion. Please note, in this context, football refers to soccer.
10. Nicolas Anelka
Anelka's career and his staggering total transfer fees make it astounding that he never featured in a World Cup. He made his international debut before the 1998 World Cup but wasn’t selected for the squad that went on to win the tournament. After a fallout with the French management between 2001 and 2007, he missed two more World Cups. Beginning his career at Arsenal in 1997 for £500,000 as a teenager, Anelka went on to play for clubs like Real Madrid (£22.3m), Paris St. Germain (£20m), Manchester City (£13m), Bolton Wanderers (£8m), Chelsea (£15m), and even had a loan spell at Liverpool. His total transfer fees place him among the most expensive footballers ever. Despite this, he was still in the running for the 2010 World Cup, contingent on France’s qualification.
9. Matt Le Tissier
Le Tissier's unwavering loyalty to Southampton, combined with playing alongside a generation of formidable English strikers, likely cost him the opportunity to play in a World Cup. Although England failed to qualify in 1994, his best chance came in 1998. However, his Southampton team constantly battled relegation in the Premier League, and the presence of strikers like Alan Shearer, Teddy Sheringham, and Andrew Cole meant Le Tissier was overlooked for selection.
8. Johnny Giles
Giles was a key figure in midfield for Leeds United during the 1970s, a team that could be considered the Manchester United of its era. Despite earning 60 caps for his country, Giles never had the opportunity to play in a World Cup, either as a player or as a manager.
7. Ian Rush
Rush, the second Welshman on the list, became a legend at Liverpool in the 1980s and 1990s. His talent also took him abroad to play for top clubs like Juventus. With an impressive international record of 28 goals in 73 appearances for Wales, his proudest achievement came in 1991 when he scored the winner against Germany in a European Qualifier. Unfortunately, Wales narrowly missed qualifying for the 1992 European Championships, as well as for the 1982, 1986, 1990, and 1994 World Cups.
6. George Weah
Weah was named African Player of the Year in 1989, 1994, and 1995, and won the prestigious European and World Footballer of the Year titles in 1995. His prime years were spent in France with Monaco and Paris St. Germain, and in Italy with AC Milan between 1988 and 2000. Sadly, like George Best and Ryan Giggs, Weah hails from Liberia, a nation that has yet to make its mark at the World Cup.
5. Eric Cantona
Cantona, another Manchester United icon, made his debut for France in 1987. However, he had a falling out with the French coach, causing him to miss the 1990 World Cup in Italy. France also failed to qualify in 1994, leading Cantona to retire in 1997 at the age of 31 to pursue acting. Although France went on to win the World Cup in 1998 on home soil, it remains uncertain whether Cantona would have been part of that squad.
4. Duncan Edwards
Edwards was regarded as one of the finest players of his era. A key figure in the legendary Busby Babes, he tragically lost his life in the Munich air disaster of 1958. Despite never playing in a World Cup for England, it is widely believed he would have been part of the squad in 1966, the year they won the tournament for the first and only time in their history.
3. George Best
Best is not only considered the best player to never play in a World Cup, but for many, he is also regarded as the greatest player of all time. Unfortunately for Best, being from Northern Ireland, a relatively small footballing nation, meant he never had the chance to represent his country in a World Cup, with their last qualification being in 1986. Best's peak years were spent at Manchester United, with his crowning achievement being a European Cup winners’ medal in 1968. However, Best was just as famous for his off-field exploits as his on-field brilliance. After facing numerous personal struggles, he left Manchester United in 1974 at just 27 years old. Though he continued playing for other clubs, he never regained his top form and missed out on playing in the 1982 and 1986 World Cups. Best passed away in 2005 after a prolonged battle with alcoholism.
2. Alfredo Di Stefano
A legendary figure at Real Madrid, Di Stefano's international career was a curious one, as he represented Argentina, Colombia, and Spain. Di Stefano was unfortunate to miss the 1950 World Cup with Argentina. In 1954, he was denied permission to play for Spain in the World Cup after already representing Argentina and Colombia. Though he later gained clearance to play for Spain, they missed the 1958 World Cup, and in 1962, an injury again kept him from showcasing his talents on football’s grandest stage. His inability to appear in a World Cup likely hindered comparisons to Pele, Cruyff, and Maradona as one of the greatest players of all time.
1. Ryan Giggs
Giggs ranks third on the list thanks to his remarkable longevity and consistency throughout his career. Debuting in 1991, Giggs spent his entire playing career at Manchester United, where he secured 11 English Premier League titles and 2 European Cups. Representing Wales, a nation that has qualified for just one World Cup in 1958, Giggs never had the opportunity to showcase his talents on the World Cup stage.
