6 greatest players who never received an international cap

#1 Gabi (Spain)

Olympique de Marseille v Club Atletico de Madrid - UEFA Europa League Final

Arguably the greatest player of all time not to receive an international call up, Gabi earned widespread acclaim as one of the best central midfielders in Europe with his displays from the middle of the park during the spectacular rise of Atletico Madrid over the last seven years under Diego Simeone.

Gabi Hernandez progressed through the ranks in the Atletico youth setup, but departed for Real Zaragoza in 2007 where he performed creditably well to earn a return to Atletico Madrid in 2011 (Diego Simeone’s first full season in charge).

He was appointed as the team captain in 2012, and in many ways was a reflection of Diego Simeone on the field, albeit in a calmer way, as Gabi was the personification of the tireless and hardworking ethic instilled in the rojiblancos since Cholo took over, effective in possession and proficient in breaking up opposition attack.

He captained the side all through its most successful period in recent times, including to the shock La Liga triumph in 2014, as well as the Champions League final on two occasions as well as a Copa Del Rey and Europa League victory.

However for all of his impressive performances, Gabi never received a call up to the national side, a victim of the same circumstances as Arteta in that he competed against players like Xavi, Iniesta, David Silva and Fabregas but to name a few, and famously quipped in 2014, " I’d like to know what has to be done to earn a national call-up."

He ended his spell in Atletico by fittingly lifting the Europa League trophy in his last match with the club (where he scored a goal in the final), and has since gone on to Qatar to join one of the men who hindered him – Xavi at Al Saad.