Top 7 footballers who missed out in the International Arena

“Success in the International Stage is always considered the ‘icing on the cake’ for every established football player. Representing and donning the national colour is a dream come true for many. It’s their “Ultimate Challenge”.

However, there have been many who have failed to achieve this ultimate glory. Irrespective of their superb displays for their club, they couldn’t quite turn it on or simply did not have the chance to display their amazing talent when they put on their coveted national team jersey. Some fell victim to “bad politics” while the others couldn’t just overcome their “bad luck”. Whatever may the reason be, we, the fans, couldn’t be privileged enough to see these guys kick the ball on the ‘big stage’, where it matters the most.

Here, in this article, let us look at the 7 best players who never quite made it big in the International Arena. Or it will be right to say they did not quite have the ‘proper’ opportunity to showcase their ‘divine’ capabilities.

George Best (Northern Ireland)

The man who invariably comes to the mind at the first instance is none other than George Best. A Manchester United legend and adored by all, this man surprisingly had a very ‘low key’ international record. He was capped 37 times for his country, scoring just nine goals. Of his nine international goals, four were scored against the rather ‘low quality team’ of Cyprus. Others include one each against Albania, England, Scotland, Switzerland and Turkey. His ‘off-field troubles’ and ‘drinking habit’ paved the way for his downfall.

Once considered the best player in the world, his team, Northern Ireland, also couldn’t manage to do anything significant during his prime days. In 1982, when Northern Ireland eventually qualified for the World Cup, Best was well over his ‘best’ days and was overlooked from the squad. He is undoubtedly considered the best player never to play a World Cup. Someone from his native land of Northern Ireland once rightly said -“Pele GOOD, Maradona BETTER but George BEST”.

Peter Leslie Osgood (England)

The “King of Stamford Bridge” and “The Wizard of Os” finds his name here in the second spot. This Chelsea man displayed his amazing talent in the blue jersey from his very early teenage days, and, as a result, was included in the 40 man probables for England’s 1966 World Cup squad. However, he missed out on the final list of players. In total, Osgood made a record 380 appearances for Chelsea, scoring 150 goals. His vision and physical presence in the football pitch made him one of the ‘hottest property’ of that era.

Despite his talent and goal scoring ability, his international career was rather limited with only 4 appearances. Alf Ramsey, the then England manager, was reported to be very disapproving of his ‘playboy attitude’. Nevertheless, he was respected throughout the football fraternity and is considered one of the lost prodigies of International football. The last stanza of a heart-touching poem written by a Chelsea fan Daniel Clarke after Osgood’s death reads thus -

“He lit the path and led the way,

Set the bar for the stars of today.

Gone he may be, but forgotten never,

For the story of The King will live forever.”

Eric Cantona (France)

Another Manchester United legend finds his place in this list of ‘unlucky legends’. “King Eric”, as he was affectionately called, made his international debut against West Germany in 1987. However, in 1988, he was dropped from the team in a rather bizarre circumstance when he called the national team coach Henri Michel by a derogatory name. However, after the managerial change in the France team, Platini was appointed the new coach and he immediately recalled back Cantona. He was selected for the 1992 Euro Cup but France failed to win any game.

Subsequently, Gerard Houllier took over but France continued in their disappointing ways as Cantona couldn’t help his team qualify for the 1994 World Cup Finals. Cantona was made the captain in a process to re-build the France team but he was removed and suspended following the Selhurst Park incident in January 1995. By the time his suspension was over, he lost his place to a certain Zinedine Zidane. He retired in 1997, a year prior to France’s World Cup triumph in 1998. It is a shame that a man whose name is still sung in the Old Trafford stands failed to achieve big on the international stage.

Duncan Edwards (England)

One among the ‘Busby Babes’ who were tipped for world domination and described by Sir Bobby Charlton as the “best he has ever played with”, Duncan Edwards died an untimely death in the 1958 Munich Air Crash, leaving him with only 18 international caps. Initially surviving the crash, he died in the hospital 15 days later. It is said that even in the hospital bed this great man asked the assistant manager Jimmy Murphy, “What time is the kick off against Wolves, Jimmy? I mustn’t miss that match”. A true hero indeed! His tombstone reads: “A day of memory, Sad to recall, Without farewell, He left us all”

Bernhard Schuster (Germany)

One of the best players in Europe, Schuster played for major clubs like Bayer Leverkusen, Real Madrid and FC Barcelona. His reported spat with the German FA led to his early retirement at a age of just 24, with only 21 international caps under his belt.

Abedi Pele (Ghana)

One of the pioneers of African Football, he was one of the first Africans to make a significant impact in Europe. He led Ghana to many continental triumphs. However, the “Black Stars” never managed to qualify for a World Cup during his era and thus the global fans of football missed out on this great player.

George Weah (Liberia)

A very talented player and an AC Milan legend, George Weah was honoured with the European, African as well as World player of the year awards during his playing days. He was also honoured as the African Player of the Century, making him equivalent to Pele and Johan Cruyff who won the South American and European player of the century awards respectively. However, his national team Liberia never quite managed to make the cut and he just could not show his incredible talent in the national colours.