The 2022 World Cup will soon be held in Qatar. This four-yearly grand football event has become a stage for world football stars to show their prowess.
The World Cup can really make or break a player. Some of the greatest legends used tournaments as the best proving ground.
From Zinedine Zidane to Ronaldinho, Denis Bergkamp to Ronaldo Nazario.
However, there are some superstars who never appear in the World Cup, for various reasons. This is the starting XI of stars who have never appeared in the World Cup, quoted from Givemesports.
Goalkeeper: Neville Southall
Described as one of the best goalkeepers of the 1980-1990 generation, Southall was part of the Wales team that failed to qualify for the World Cup during his playing days.
Behind
Defenders: Christian Chivu, Sami Hyypia, Lee Dixon
Hyypia enjoyed hero status at Liverpool and was part of the Finland national team in 1992-2010. While Chivu, won three Serie A titles and the Champions League with Inter Milan. He never appeared in the World Cup while playing for Romania in 1999-2010.
Lee Dixon, also never appeared in the World Cup. He only has 22 caps in the England national team in 1990-1999.
Middle
Middle: Bernd Schuster, George Weah, George Best, David Ginola
Bernd Schuster, former Real Madrid and Barcelona, strengthened West Germany in 1979-1984 with 21 appearances. He was runner-up in the 1980 Ballon d'Or. Meanwhile, Weah, with his long track record in the Liberia national team in 1986-2018, has never tasted the World Cup.
A mainstay of Northern Ireland since 1964-1977, Best has never tasted the World Cup. The main reason is clear, his country did not qualify for the tournament. While David Ginola only five years in uniform for the French national team in 1990-1995.
Front
Forwards: Eric Cantona, Dimitar Berbatov, Alfredo Di Stefano
Alfredo Di Stefano is considered one of the best Real Madrid players. The bitter fact, he never took part in the World Cup.
Partnering with him, the mercurial geniuses Cantona and Berbatov will be the most delicious formation recipe you can imagine.
The fate of Cantona like most of the stars above, did not appear in the World Cup because his country did not qualify.
Source: Givemesports
Adapted from: Bola.com/Writer Wiwig Prayugi
Published: 16/9/2022