Following on from the rather controversial list Top 20 Football Players Of All Time, we are now presenting the top 10 best footballers who never played in a world cup. Hopefully this will fill some gaps from the previous list and satisfy everyone. Please note that in the context of this list, football refers to soccer.
His CV and his total transfer fees combined make it incredible that Anelka has yet to play at a World Cup. He made his debut prior to the 1998 World Cup but was not selected for the squad who went on to win the tournament. He fell out of favour with the French management between 2001 and 2007 therefore missing out on two more world cups. He signed for Arsenal (£500,000) in 1997 as a teenager and from there went on to play for Real Madrid (£22.3m), Paris St. Germain (£20m), Manchester City (£13m), Bolton Wanderers (£8m) and Chelsea (£15m), as well as a loan spell at Liverpool. His combined transfer fees make him one of the most expensive footballers of all time. However, he remains in contention to play at the 2010 World Cup should France qualify.
A combination of remaining loyal to his beloved Southampton and playing in a generation of great English strikers probably cost Le Tissier his chance to feature at a World Cup. England failed to qualify in 1994 but Le Tissier’s best chance was probably in 1998. His Southampton side were perennial strugglers in the Premier League, and the likes of Alan Shearer, Teddy Sheringham and Andrew Cole made sure Le Tissier was overlooked.
Giles played in the heart of midfield for a Leeds United side in the 1970′s, who were the Manchester United of their day. Despite playing 60 times for his country Giles failed to grace a World Cup as either a player or a manager.
The second Welshman on the list, Rush made his name with Liverpool in the 80′s and 90′s but his quality alo saw him play abroad for the likes of Juventus. He had an impressive international record coring 28 goals in 73 games for Wales, and his proudest moment came when he scored the winner in a European Qualifier against Germany in 1991. Wales narrowly missed out on qualification for the 1992 European Championships, as they did for the 1982, 1986, 1990 and 1994 World Cups.
Weah was voted African Player of the Year in 1989, 1994 and 1995 and European and World Footballer of the Year in 1995. Weah enjoed his best years in France with Monaco and Paris St. Germain, and in Italy with AC Milan between 1988 and 2000. Unfortunately, like Best and Giggs he came from Liberia, another footballing minnow who as yet have failed to make a World Cup.
Another Manchester United legend, Cantona made his France debut in 1987. However, he fell out with the French coach and failed to make the squad for the 1990 World Cup in Italy. In 1994 France sensationally failed to qualify and Cantona then retired in 1997, aged 31 to pursue a career as an actor. France won the World Cup in 1998 on home soil, but it is debateable as to whether or not Cantona would have featured.
Edwards was considered one of the greatest of his generation. One of the Busby Babes Edwards was tragically killed in the Munich air disaster of 1958. He failed to play at a World Cup for England, but probably would have played for them in 1966, when they won the tournament for the one and only time in their history.
Giggs makes no.3 on the list due to the length and consistency of his career. Giggs made his debut in 1991, and to this day remains with the same club Manchester United. During his time he has won 11 English Premierships and 2 European Cups. Giggs comes from Wales who have only ever qualified for 1 World Cup in 1958.
Di Stefano legend for Real Madrid at club level, Di Stefano mysteriously played for Argentina, Colombia and Spain at international level. Di Stefano was unfortunate to miss the World Cup with Argentina in 1950. In 1954 he was denied permission to play for Spain at the World Cup having represented both Argentina and Colombia. He was later granted permission to play for Spain but they missed the 1958 World Cup and in 1962 injury once again prevented him from playing on the worlds bigest stage. His failure to appear at a World Cup probably prevented him from being compared with Pele, Cruyff and Maradona as one of the greatest.
Best was bot only the best player to never make a World Cup, but for many the greatest player of all time. Unfortunately for Best he was a native of Northern Ireland who are relative minnows of international football and haven’t qualified for a World Cup since 1986. Best enjoyed his best years at Manchester United, the highlight being a European Cup winners medal in 1968. However, Best was as well known for his scoring off the pitch as he was on it. After a series of personal problems he left Manchester United in 1974 for good, aged just 27. Despite playing for a number of other clubs Best never recaptured his finest form and failed to play for Northern Ireland at the 1982 or 1986 World Cup. Best died in 2005 following a long battle with alcoholism.
Great list.
Bot only? LMAO
It’s the football that should be counted rushing through the vein and not money. Great list dedicated to the players not making to the World Cups.
2ND… COOL LIST
I couldn’t care less about this list…lame!
I hate sports…
Wogball, not football, it’s wogball.
Great list. But for anelka it isnt over as he played at the euro and he its very possible he will play in africa.
great list
@Y (5): Nobody *****ing forced you to post here, you know.
Greatlist for football fans.. Useless list for me.. Hehe good research anyway..
@Flgh (9): freedom of speech and expsession is a basic human right you know..
@Flgh (9): freedom of speech and expression is a basic human right you know..
what is a world cup, we live in the world not england
Good work, DarrylH.
Pleasant surprise to see Duncan Edwards in there, from all accounts he was a truly complete player and would have become a household name if he’d lived.
I’d have put Di Stefano at #1, but that’s just my opinion.
good list and i do feel sorry for gigs and best not so much cantona
Brilliant List!
Man U came out to Australia in about ’68 and played matches against New South Wales, Victoria and Australia (and won them all).
My parents went to see the Man U v Vic game at Olympic Park and wouldn’t take me (bastards!). The match was memorable for the fact that Man U could have won it about 10-0 but preferred to showcaser their talent and allow a lower scoreline. It was also memorable for the second goal: Best collected the ball in his own half and dribbled it out to the right wing and then proceeded to run just inside the touch line from about 20 metres inside his own half, all the way to be level with the top of the 6-yard box: juggling the ball all the way and taunting the Victorian players who were shadowing him. He then scisso-kicked a cross into the penalty box where Denis Law converted with a pin-point header into the bottom right corner of the goal; leaving the Victoria and Australia ‘keeper looking like the loser he was.
Man U won 5-0
Good list. There is some real talent there. I never knew Di Stefano never played in a World Cup. And what a player Le Tissier was…
I could be wrong but I dont think Jim Baxter played at a world cup either. For me he was one of the all time greats – remember wembley 1967 when he taught the english how to play
KIBEY – I see you have taken time to humiliate yourself in public – - – again!
You are truly a parochial, flat-headed moron: The game began with ‘Street Football’ (or Shroveball) in England with Workington in Cumberland having written references to its being played during the 10th Century – So it’s NOT F#####g Wogball you neuron-deficient hack – at least they use their feet for the majority of play time – not THROW the ball all over the place or “hand-pass” it instead.
And as for BUGSY – check the names – there were only TWO Englishmen, out of TEN. And World Cup means just what it says – WORLD Cup: this means that all 160-odd football-playing countries play off in zones and regions for the right to qualify for the finals played every four years – and never in the same country twice in a row – Every continent except Australia has hosted the tournament finals; and we’re in the run to host the 2014 or 2018 Cup Finals. So the competing nations qualify and come from ALL OVER THE WORLD and the Finals are held ALL OVER THE WORLD – so I think that qualifies as a WORLD CUP – I suggest you return home now; your village called and their idiot is missing.
Great list
I think Alfredo di Stefano should have been number 1, but well, thats just my opinion.
And as the Irish (accurately) say: Maradona good, Pele better, George Best. Great(est?) player.
Where is Jari Litmanen
?
I’m curious as to what happened to Ronaldo after his insident at the wold cup?
I was inconsolably distraught after the ‘Top 20 Football Players Of All Time’ debacle, so when i saw this list i wasn’t to expectant.
However this list is pretty much bang on, top notch work ‘DarrylH’.
The fact that Le Tiss never really played for England, let alone in a World Cup, still makes me cry at night. I also echo Trapper439′s thoughts, great to see Duncan Edwards make an appearance.
Seeing Best at number one gives me an excuse to whip out this brilliant quote from the man,
‘I spent 90% of my money on women, drink and fast cars. The rest I wasted.’
What a legend.
What happende to Ronaldo?
Ronaldo from Brazil? Or Ronaldo from Spain?
Portugal
This list is too American.
Hehe, I was close. People from Brazil speak Portuguese and Spain is next to Portugal.
I brag that this is my first comment on top 30. I’m so *****ing proud of my speed. Just comment on me. Yeah I knew this guys i love soccer.
i’ve never heard of any of those people. let’s hear it for skimming over the title and thinking this was about football.
It is frankly criminal that Anelka gets a run when people like Valentino Mazzola are missed out.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valentino_Mazzola
It reads like a list composed by someone who has never paid any attention to football outside of the UK. Only one player in the list who never played in England, and that was Di Stefano, possibly the greatest player ever.
Best was “bot” only the best player – should be not
but his quality “alo” saw him play abroad – should be also
Great list, love football!
I knew the second I saw this list what No.1 would be and rightly so. Such a shame Best never played a world cup he would have set it alight.
Anelka should not have been included as he will probably go to South Africa.
Weah was a wonderful player for AC too. The sheer athleticism of the guy was staggering.
Matt Le Tissier is an absolute legend. He showed loyalty and stuck with Southamton through thick and thin. Unlike 99% of these back stabbing over paid prima donnas today who are only thinking about their next pay cheque.
@enoooo (27):
There is absolutely nothing American about this list so how in the hell could it be too American.
Methinks enooo has its tongue firmly planted in its cheek. Methinks ImElvis666 fails to recognise this.
Shame about Le Tiss
Great list………. love the British emphasis, it gets very annoying having everything written in American English (soccer, and the other days need to be able to score a baseball game to be a man lol).
@Shagrat (19): LoL u just brightened up my lunchbreak
@ImElvis666 (34): You must be new to the site.
@enoooo (38):
You got me. Fool me once shame on you. Fool me twice shame on me!
This list seems like it is more towards the European audience for me. I don’t really have an interest in soccer/football. I guess the lists here just cater to all kinds in the listverse.
Awesome list, DarrylH! I am not a rabid fan, but I am a fan nonetheless. My sister played for several years which gave me a love for the game.
I am glad you included Giles and Best. Both of whom I felt sorry for the most.
@astraya (35): Methinks astraya has got a point.
LOL, an irish guy losing a battle with alcoholism….
Let’s talk about Obama’s birth certificate!
Fun fact: the word soccer originates from the word “association” …as in as-soc-iation football. Used during the Victorian era in England, it also spawned the word ‘rugger’ for rugby football.
So there, now you know why the USA says soccer instead of football…they’re just old fashioned like that.
Good list, although you could replace anelka with someone more notable such as Bernd Schuster, Abedi Pele or Jari Litmanen. Its Likely Anelka will play in South Africa 2010.
Good list but didn’t giggs play for Wales at some point in his career?
meh…well-researched list, but on a topic i have absolutely no interest in. sports heroes & greats are cool & all…
now my gal pal Jill would be wearing a jersey all day long if she read this when she first woke up…she drags me to the pubs for a pint & a game occasionally. which i appreciate the pint, but wtching all the older spanish & british gents screaming at the wide screen t.v.s just doesn’t do a thing for me!
rtr
@Fenfan (44) That’s new to me as to the origins of the word soccer. But I have to correct you on the origins of the word rugger. This stems from the place where the sport was born, Rugby, where in 1823 William Webb Ellis, while playing football, picked up the ball and started running.
As to this list being too “English”, it is undisputable that the English Premier League is the best in the world, as can also probably be said for the English First Division up until the Premier League started in 1992. So it’s not surprising that many of the players featured in this list play or have played in England.
this list is too europe-centric! no one in the US cares about soccer! what a terrible list.
see, I can complain without offering any suggestions too.
I do kinda like soccer though…
Who are these people? Where is Gayle Sayers, Barry Sanders, Dan Marino? Now THOSE are great football players that never won a World Title!
Hi,
Great to see mainly positive reports about my list.
I just wanted to clear a few things up
1. The list IS Euro based. I decided to post this because I was so annoyed at the amount of American lists on here. For example the top 15 sports moments of all time were littered with moments from American sports.
2. Yes, I realise Anelka will probably play in 2010, but at the time of writing this he hadn’t.
3. I was debating whether or not to put Di Stefano ahead of Best, but I’m Irish so bias probably came into play.
4. Litmanen, Schuster etc… are notable absentees. I did consider them, but they didn’t make it.
5. Yes, Di Stefano was the only player not to play in England, although George Weah only played there after his best years. The English League has long been considered one of the best and so it is likely that many of the best players have played there.
6. Apologies for any spelling mistakes and watch out for Top 10 Nearly Men in Sport.
Thanks
@randomprecision24 (49):
That would be a fair point, except this list is not Eurocentric. Football is a World sport. The ‘World Cup’ of Football is not an overstatement, the ‘World Series’ of Baseball very much is.
Where’s Pele???? How can you not call him a top 10 footballer!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!
finally a list about football players thanks man
how about making a list of the most football player to goal or about Zidan
@darrylh (51):
’4. Litmanen, Schuster etc… are notable absentees. I did consider them, but they didn’t make it.’
Nice to see someone come out and defend their list.
@kertamen (53):
Take another look at the title my friend.
@kertamen (53)
pele did play at the world cup and this list is about great players did`nt play at the world cup
whats with all the soccer lists? boo to soccer lists. i mean its a fine sport, but the lists are incredibly blah.
Glad I came back to this site some new very interesting items which I wanted to know more about. Great work on your site.
Some very interesting points have been made here, it is refreshing to see that your site gets quality visitors.
anelka’s a peice of *****, whys he on this list?