5 FIFA World Cup stars who prematurely retired from international football 

#1 Giuseppe Meazza, Italy

Italy's greatest player ended his international career at the age of 28

Before Pele, Giuseppe Meazza was widely considered to be the greatest footballer in the world. Meazza was in brilliant form with both Inter Milan and Italy during the early 30s and was called up to the squad for the 1934 World Cup.

Meazza scored two goals during Italy’s victorious campaign at the 1934 World Cup. One was against USA in the first round at Rome and the second came in the quarter-final replay against Spain at Florence. Meazza was adjudged the best player of the tournament and was in the tournament’s All-Star Team.

By the time the 1938 World Cup was around the corner, Meazza was leading Italy.

There was a lot of pressure on Italy before the 1938 World Cup as their Dictator Benito Mussolini sent a telegram to Meazza which read: “Win or die!” Meazza led Italy to the win and scored a goal against Brazil in the semi-finals.

However, only a year later, Meazza retired from international football at the age of 28 following a 3-2 win over Finland at Rome. He left Inter Milan in 1940 and had stints with AC Milan, Juventus, Varese and Atlanta before returning to Inter in 1946. He eventually finished his club career at Inter in 1947.