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For many, premier international events like the FIFA World Cup, Euros or Copa America remains the pinnacle of world football. Champions League football is regarded highly for its competitiveness and is one of club football's biggest events. But it happens every year, unlike the other aforementioned events.
The FIFA World Cup and the Euros, for example, take place every four years, making a major international trophy win all the more elusive. Lionel Messi recently enhanced his stature following a Copa America win with his national side, but some legendary players have missed out on an international trophy.
On that note, let's take a look at the five legendary players who retired without an international trophy.
#5 Roberto Baggio
Arguably one of the greatest Italian footballers to have ever lived, Roberto Baggio fell agonisingly short of an international trophy in his playing career.
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The pony-tailed genius was one of the most skilful footballers in history, with flawless technique and immaculate vision up his sleeve. Baggio played a crucial role in Italy's run to the final of the 1994 FIFA World Cup, scoring five goals.
Despite persistent knee problems, the 'Divine Ponytail' emerged as one of the star players of the 1994 World Cup, receiving the Silver Ball for his efforts. Baggio, though, missed Italy's final penalty in the shootout against Brazil.
In later interviews, the Ballon d'Or winner described the penalty miss as something that affected him for years, but it should take nothing away from Baggio's incredible feats.
#4 Luis Figo
The Portuguese legend won almost every major trophy he competed for at club level and on an individual front. But a major international trophy eluded him throughout his career.
Regarded as one of the best players of his generation, Luis Figo was one of the few footballers to have donned the colours of both Barcelona and Real Madrid. He won five La Liga titles, one Champions League trophy, two UEFA Super Cups and two Copa del Reys, among various honours.
In 493 cumulative appearances for Real Madrid and Barcelona, Figo racked up 101 goals and 144 assists. At Inter Milan, he would add more trophies to his cabinet, including four Serie A titles and one Coppa Italia. However, the Ballon d'Or winner did not find similar success with the Portuguese national side.
Figo's best finish with the national side was at Euro 2004, where Portugal finished runner-up to Greece by a slender 1-0 margin. He also played a key role in Portugal's fourth-place finish at the 2006 FIFA World Cup.
#3 Ferenc Puskas
Despite his best efforts, Real Madrid legend Ferenc Puskas never laid hands on a major international trophy in his playing career.
Puskas represented Hungary for most of his professional career, but also made a handful of appearances with the Spain later on in his career. Puskas has some of the most incredible stats in footballing history. He scored 84 goals in 85 international games, along with 508 goals in 521 club games.
Referred to as the Golden Team or the Magnificent Magyars, Hungary entered the 1954 FIFA World Cup on a 31-match winning streak. Puskas, one of the best players at the 1954 World Cup, gave Hungary a sixth-minute lead against West Germany in the final.
The Hungarians were 2-0 up by the eighth minute, but in a remarkable turnaround of sorts, West Germany staged an incredible heist to win 3-2. Ferenc Puskas did not leave the international arena empty-handed, though, as he took home the Olympic gold at the 1952 Summer Olympics.
#2 Paolo Maldini
Paolo Maldini is regarded by many as one of the greatest defenders in the game's history, and is a footballing legend in every sense of the word.
The Italian centre-back was an immovable force in Italy and AC Milan's backline during his 25-year professional career. Maldini won a whopping 26 trophies with the Rossoneri, including three Champions League trophies, two European Champion Clubs' Cup titles, seven Serie A titles, four UEFA SuperCups, five Italian Super Cups and a FIFA Club World Cup title.
Maldini registered a staggering tally of 902 appearances for AC Milan, along with 126 appearances for the Azzurri. While he won everything with his boyhood club, Maldini failed to achieve the same success with Italy.
The Italian legend called himself 'football's biggest loser' owing to his heartbreaking record with the national side. The Azzurri came agonisingly close on a couple of occasions. Italy lost out in the penalty shootout against Brazil at the 1994 FIFA World Cup, and another final setback would befall them at Euro 2000 as well.
#1 Johan Cruyff
Johan Cruyff is the most extraordinary mind in the history of the beautiful game; excelling in his playing and managerial career.
The Dutchman revolutionised the beautiful game with his innovative approach and tactics and won every major trophy in club football. He propelled an underperforming Ajax side to domestic and European glory after being handed the captain's armband in the early 1970s.
The legendary Dutchman won the Ballon d'Or award three times, and won three successive European Champions Clubs Cup with his boyhood club. Cruyff would go on to represent Barcelona, winning the league title and domestic cup during his time with the Blaugrana.
Cruyff dazzled one and all at the 1974 FIFA World Cup, where he was directly involved in ten goals (three goals, seven assists). However, Netherlands lost to West Germany in the final, despite Cruyff's assist for the opening goal.
In 48 appearances for the Netherlands, Cruyff notched up an impressive 33 goals and 22 assists.
