The 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar is lower than six months away. It guarantees to be really considered one of a form within the historical past of FIFA World Cups. Not solely is it occurring in winter for the primary time, however the World Cup in Qatar 2022 may even be the primary hosted by a rustic within the Center East.
🗓 Counting right down to the #FIFAWorldCup 🤩 #NowIsAll #Qatar2022
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) Could 26, 2022
Although there have been protests by just a few nations towards the human rights difficulty, the event is anticipated to be a blockbuster. The group levels for the FIFA World Cup are set, alongside the official mascot, Laeeb.
Furthermore, ed-tech firm BYJU’S from India has turn into a sponsor for the event, a primary for the subcontinent as properly. Followers internationally are all geared as much as see the most effective gamers battle it out on the grandest stage.
All 16 of those stars have by no means performed a minute of #FIFAWorldCup soccer 🤯 pic.twitter.com/XxBarG9pPA
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) June 2, 2022
Some are absolutely making their final ever bow at a FIFA World Cup. Nevertheless, identical to the World Cup showcases the most effective gamers, it has by no means been graced by some true superstars of the sport over its historical past.
They embody Ballon d’Or winners, nationwide file holders, and continental greats. In that regard, FootTheBall lists the highest 10 gamers to have by no means performed at a World Cup ever.
Jari Litmanen
The perfect participant within the historical past of Finland, Litmanen was one of many stars for Ajax within the Nineties. He helped the Dutch giants to league titles and the UEFA Champions League triumph in 1995.
Litmanen would go onto play for Barcelona and Liverpool after that, however his skills alone might assist Finland.
🗣️ “My Ajax team-mates performed on the 1994 World Cup and reached the semis in 1998, the place they have been knocked out on penalties by Brazil. I took most of Ajax’s penalties, so I’d have are available helpful.”
🇫🇮 Jari Litmanen on lacking out on the #WorldCuphttps://t.co/RfEhVhDrGQ pic.twitter.com/E0RJYPAbGT
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) February 20, 2021
The nation are one of many underdogs within the worldwide discussion board, with Finland by no means actually getting near qualifying for a World Cup. Litmanen tried his greatest, however it was to not be for the good participant who stays the highest appearances maker.
Ian Rush
One among Wales’ all-time nice gamers who picked up 20 trophies with Liverpool, together with two European Cups. Rush was the recipient of the PFA Gamers’ Participant and Younger Participant of the Yr awards in consecutive seasons in 1983 and 1984.
#IanRush made his Welsh debut earlier than he had been handed his first begin for #Liverpool, enjoying his first match on 21 Could 1980 towards Scotland Rush performed frequently for the Welsh nationwide crew for greater than 15 years, scoring 28 targets (Welsh file) in 73 video games. pic.twitter.com/wVEHjYk0Qu
— Fútbolismo ⚽️🌎🌍🌏⚽️ (@ftblsm) October 20, 2019
Nevertheless, like Litmanen, he was hamstrung by being from an underdog nation. Rush is considered one of a number of Welsh heroes who’ve did not make their mark at a World Cup, a curse that Gareth Bale will look to finish on this decade.
Liam Brady
A inventive midfield hub who performed with nice success in England and Italy. Brady remodeled 200 appearances for Arsenal, together with successful the FA Cup in 1979. Then got here the massive change to Juventus at a time when few gamers from UK have been going overseas.
Then, now, at all times 🔴
A real Arsenal legend turns 61 right now
🎈 Joyful birthday to you, Liam Brady pic.twitter.com/3VUK37nrfw
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) February 13, 2017
Nevertheless, Brady bucked the development by successful two Serie A titles with the Previous Girl. He additionally had spells with Sampdoria, Inter Milan, and Ascoli.
Sadly, Brady couldn’t replicate the success on the World Cup degree, as he was not chosen for 1990 FIFA World Cup in Italy.
Abedi Pele
The African Pele who’s considered one of many biggest gamers in African footballing historical past. Abedi Pele was a supreme aim scorer and midfielder from Ghana who was voted because the African Participant of the Yr 3 times.
He was a celebrity with Marseille within the early Nineties, successful the UEFA Champions League in 1993 the place Fabien Barthez made historical past.
🏆 Abedi Pele was, surrounded by well-known mates, holding the trophy & rejoicing after the 1st-ever @ChampionsLeague closing in 1993. We hope the 3-time African Footballer of the Yr is celebrating once more on his 56th birthday 🎉
⚪️🔵@OM_English 🇬🇭@ghanafaofficial 🌍@CAF_Online pic.twitter.com/imxtNc38to
— FIFA.com (@FIFAcom) November 5, 2020
Nevertheless, the FIFA World Cup remained out of attain with Abedi Pele solely capable of win the 1982 African Cup of Nations. In a silver lining, his sons Andre Ayew and Jordan Ayew have performed on the 2010 FIFA World Cup in a historic event for the nation.
Eric Cantona
The flamable footballer had fights with virtually everybody he ever got here throughout in his profession. Cantona had a well-known bust up with Henri Michel throughout qualifying for the 1990 FIFA World Cup.
That led to his suspension from worldwide soccer, which meant lacking out on the World Cup.
The French crew 🇨🇵 that we might have seen on the #USA94!
.
⬆️: Bernard Lama, Jocelyn Angloma, Desailly, Laurent Blanc, Paul Le Guen, Eric De Meco
⬇️: Djorkaeff, Jean-Pierre Papin, Deschamps, David Ginola, Eric Cantona
.
What might have this crew achieved within the event? pic.twitter.com/TI3FJHVpZ6— World Cup Fever ⚽ (@Trivia_WorldCup) Could 28, 2020
Nevertheless, he did return to enjoying for France ultimately underneath Michel Platini and Gerard Houllier. France did not qualify for the 1994 FIFA World Cup, after which got here the notorious “kung-fu kick” towards a Crystal Palace fan.
It ended his worldwide profession as Cantona was chosen for the 1998 FIFA World Cup, which Les Bleus went onto win.
George Weah
One other African legend who’s now the President of his nation. Weah was a footballing genius and Ballon d’Or and FIFA World Participant of the Yr. He was an unstoppable power with spells for PSG and AC Milan, earlier than a short while spent with Chelsea.
20 years in the past, on 28 January 2002, George Weah ended his 19-year worldwide profession as Liberia 🇱🇷 bowed out of the AFCON.
During which yr was he named FIFA World Participant of the Yr? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/k0j74IrJCa
— FIFA.com (@FIFAcom) January 28, 2022
Weah was additionally a driving power for Liberia, serving to to handle the prices of touring and coaching.
Nevertheless, all his efforts weren’t capable of assist Liberia attain a primary FIFA World Cup in its historical past. They continue to be an African minnow and haven’t come near altering that standing but.
George Greatest
“Maradona good, Pele higher, George Greatest.” The mercurial expertise from Northern Eire was one of many biggest footballing personalities that ever lived. Other than his quite a few off-field tales, Greatest was a magician on the pitch. He revived the fortunes of Manchester United after the Munich Tragedy, alongside Bobby Charlton and Dennis Regulation.
George Greatest in his prime. #mufc pic.twitter.com/FV693vEbQx
— Ben (@Bred147) December 15, 2021
The Pink Devils received league titles in 1965 and 1967, earlier than clinching the European Cup in 1968. Greatest was awarded the Ballon d’Or and FWA Footballer of the Yr for his exploits. Nevertheless, his worldwide profession by no means actually took off with simply 37 appearances.
He was rumoured to be included within the squad for the 1982 FIFA World Cup, however then-manager Billy Bingham ultimately determined towards it.
Ryan Giggs
Like Rush within the earlier technology, Giggs was unable to assist Wales within the World Cup scene. He was a legend for Manchester United since bursting onto the scene as a member of the “Class of ’92.”
🏆 13 Premier League titles
🏆 4 FA Cups
🏆 2 UEFA Champions League
🏆 1 FIFA Membership World Cup
🏆 1 UEFA Tremendous Cup
🏆 1 Intercontinental CUP#RyanGiggs #MUFC #PremierLeague #UCL— Globe Soccer Awards (@Globe_Soccer) December 5, 2019
Giggs picked up 13 Premier League titles, racked up 963 appearances for the Pink Devils, alongside quite a few private honours.
Nevertheless, Giggs and co. together with Ian Rush and Mark Hughes did not qualify for the 1994 FIFA World Cup. That was the closest they got here to creating the most important stage.
Laszlo Kubala
Again within the days when a participant might signify three nations throughout his profession. Kubala was an outstanding aim scorer with Barcelona within the Nineteen Fifties, serving to the Blaugrana to 5 La Liga titles. Kubala scored 300+ targets in a distinguished profession.
In 11 seasons with Barça (1950-61), Kubala received a staggering 14 titles, and will have received extra had he not suffered varied accidents, together with a bout with tuberculosis in 1952.
4️⃣x @LaLigaEN
1️⃣x Latin Cup
2️⃣x Inter-Cities Gala’s Cup
5️⃣x Spanish Cup
2️⃣x Copa Eva Duarte(7/10) ↕️ pic.twitter.com/rwXQr1LKlw
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) June 10, 2020
He featured for Czechoslovakia, Hungary, and Spain throughout his two-decade lengthy profession. Kubala had the most effective likelihood with Spain, and was additionally chosen for the 1962 FIFA World Cup. Nevertheless, damage compelled him to overlook out on the event sadly.
Alfredo di Stefano
Essentially the most completed participant within the checklist with an enviable trophy file. Di Stefano made his title with River Plate, earlier than quick spells with Huracan and Millonarios in Colombia.
Nevertheless, his biggest successes got here with Actual Madrid within the Nineteen Fifties. 5 straight European Cups, eight La Liga titles, and two-time Ballon d’Or winner in 1957 and 1959.
In 1989, Alfredo Di Stéfano received the Tremendous Ballon d’Or in recognition of a unprecedented profession.
⚽ 308 #RealMadrid targets
🏆 17 trophies with @RealMadrid as a participant
🥇 2x Ballon d’Or winner (1957 and 1959)#RMFansEnCasa | #StayHome pic.twitter.com/yUbqZtASl4— Actual Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) March 25, 2020
Like Kubala, Di Stefano would additionally signify three international locations in Argentina, Colombia, and Spain. La Roja had the most effective shot of qualifying for the 1958 FIFA World Cup, however fell to Scotland.
Di Stefano didn’t quit and helped Spain qualify for the 1962 FIFA World Cup. Nevertheless, he would miss the event by way of damage like Kubala and the world by no means see his skills on the world stage.