2018 FIFA World Cup has been more than what we bargained for. Goals, drama and heartbreaks we have seen it all. Messi and Ronaldo have missed out yet again, but do they really need a World Cup to prove their greatness.
Hence, we decided to take a look at the top footballers of all time, who have never won a World Cup title.
USSR’s Lev Yashin
One of the greatest goal-keepers of all time, Lev Yashin never won a World Cup in his career. Nicknamed the ‘The Black Spider’ for his incredible reflexes, Lev Yashin is the only goal-keeper in the history of football, who has won a Ballon d’Or. For 13 long years, he was the undisputed first-choice goal-keeper but couldn’t guide his team to World Cup glory.
Northern Ireland’s George Best
George Best is undoubtedly one of the greatest players to have played for Manchester United. Part of the famous squad ‘Busby Babes’, Best terrorized the best of teams across the globe. He even won the Ballon d’Or in 1968. However, he couldn’t help his side Northern Ireland win a World Cup. A great player part of a mediocre Northern Ireland squad.
Johan Cruyff of the Netherlands
Considered one of the greatest players of all time, Johan Cruyff won it all with Ajax and Barcelona. One of the few players with 3 or more Ballon d’Or titles, he was the pioneer of ‘Total Football’ which Barcelona play to this date. However, despite being a part of a great Dutch team, he couldn’t lead the Netherlands to a World Cup title.
France’s Michel Platini
Another legend of the game, France’s Platini helped his side win 1984 Euro and finished as the tournament’s top goal-scorer with 9 goals. Despite all his efforts, he could only lead France to semi-finals of both 1982 and 1986 World Cup. He is also a 3-time winner of the Ballon d’Or and played for the French team for over 20 years.
Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo is undoubtedly one of the greatest players of the modern era. A prolific goal-scorer for club and country, Ronaldo has 5 Ballon d’Or titles under his belt. He lead his side to Euro 2016 glory, however, in his four World Cup appearances, he has failed to take Portugal beyond the semi-finals of the tournament.
Argentina’s Lionel Messi
Ronaldo’s nemesis Lionel Messi has won it all with Barcelona. A 5-time World Player of the Year, Lionel Messi’s illustrious career has just one blot- he has failed to lead Argentina to a major title. They came close in the 2014 edition but lost the final to Germany. Post that, Messi and Argentina lost two back to back Copa America finals.