With the Qatar World Cup getting underway on Sunday, a number of the world’s best players will be aiming to display their abilities on the world stage.
With billions of eyes fixed upon the tournament, the pressure is really on for the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Neymar to perform. Whilst that trio and more have the opportunity to compete for the title of world champions, some of the most iconic players have not received the chance to play at the tournament.
With that being said, Mirror Sport takes a look at the best players to have never played a single game at the World Cup finals.
10) David Ginola
Having represented the likes of Newcastle, Tottenham, Aston Villa and Everton, French winger David Ginola dazzled fans of the Premier League with his quick feet and creativity. He was not quite able to replicate those displays on the international stage though.
Ginola was afforded just 17 appearances for the France national team, scoring just three goals. Infamously, the former wideman committed a mistake in qualifying as his overhit cross against Bulgaria was easily cleared and in the end contributed to a 2-1 defeat when France only needed a draw to qualify for the 1994 tournament.
9) Alfredo di Stefano
Intriguingly, Real Madrid icon Di Stefano ended up playing for three separate national teams during his career. He represented the likes of Argentina, Colombia and Spain - earning the most caps with the latter.
That did not help him play at the World Cup as Argentina were forced to withdraw from qualifying before Spain failed to book their place eight years later. He did help the Spanish to a ticket to the 1962 edition but injury ruled him out of earning a place in the squad.
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8) George Best
Whilst Di Stefano represented a collection of national sides, the same cannot quite be said for former Man Utd star Best. The winger accumulated 37 appearances for Northern Ireland and scored nine goals for his country.
His side did not manage to qualify until the closing days of Best’s playing days in 1982 but at the age of 35, he did not earn a place in the squad.
7) Eric Cantona
From one former Manchester United player to another, the now 45-year-old actually has a stellar career for the French national side. Cantona made 45 appearances for Les Bleus and scored an astounding 20 goals.
Cantona was a victim of Ginola’s mistake with the nation having failed to qualify for the 1990 and the 1994 World Cups. He retired before the 1998 edition - France ironically going on to win the title for the first time.
6) George Weah
Whilst Cantona was unfortunate to miss out having been part of a national team stacked with talent, the same was not true for Ballon d’Or winner Weah. The Monaco and AC Milan icon made 75 appearances for Liberia during an 18-year career.
The closest he got to qualifying for the tournament was before the 2002 edition with Liberia missing out by just a solitary point.
5) Ryan Giggs
The current crop of Wales players are set to make their first appearance since 1958 in Qatar but it is ironic that they will likely be without one of their most iconic players. 13-time Premier League winner Ryan Giggs made a total of 64 appearances for the Welsh national team throughout his career.
He brought his Wales career to an abrupt end in 2007 having never quite managed to help his side to a single World Cup.
4) Ian Rush
Another of arguably one of Wales’ best players, Rush developed a reputation as one of the most lethal goalscorers of his generation having plundered 383 goals throughout his club career. He took that form onto the international stage with 28 strikes for the Welsh national team.
The former Liverpool and Juventus star actually scored a hat-trick during qualifying for the 1994 World Cup but that was not enough to secure his country a place at the subsequent tournament.
3) Abedi Pele
A Ghanaian icon, the former attacking midfielder played a key role in his nation winning the African Cup of Nations title in 1982. Until 2013 when he was surpassed by Asamoah Gyan, he was his country’s highest goalscorer ever.
Despite that success, he was not able to display his abilities at the World Cup with Ghana failing to secure qualification during his lengthy career.
2) Sami Hyypia
Arguably one of the best defenders in Liverpool history, Hyypia made 464 appearances for the Reds during his playing career before waving goodbye for Bayer Leverkusen. He has also gone down in folklore for the Finnish national team.
The centre-back earned 105 caps for his country - the second-most of all-time - but his experience could not help Finland secure their place at a single World Cup.
1) Jari Litmanen
Sticking with the Finnish national team, the one man to have surpassed Hyypia in international caps is former midfielder Litmanen. Having played for Barcelona, Liverpool and Ajax, he was considered as the best Finnish footballer of all time.
He managed to amass an astounding 137 caps for his country and scored 32 goals over four different decades. Despite that fantastic service, Litmanen wasn’t afforded the opportunity to display his abilities at a single World Cup with Finland failing to qualify.
