The World Cup sees all the World's greatest footballers come together for the glamorous event, well... Nearly all.
Here are some of the most outstanding talents who never got the opportunity to show their skills and what stuffs they are made of on the greatest stage in football.
1. Ryan Giggs (Wales)
Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs is the most decorated player in the history of English football, with a haul that includes thirteen Premier League titles.
Giggs failed to play at the World Cup in Wales despite having an illustrious club career. Source: SUN
Giggs chose playing for Wales despite England being interested in him playing for them, however Wales weren't the team they would go on to be, and he never graced a World Cup.
2. Bernd Schuster (Germany)
The German was marverick maestro for the biggest teams in Spain, Real Madrid and Barcelona.
A misunderstanding to Schuster missing a party thrown by his team mate led to him missing the 1982 World Cup in Spain.
Schuster failed to play at the World Cup despite playing for Barcelona and Real Madrid. Source: FootballTimes
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3. George Best ( Northern Ireland)
Manchester United great George Best is perhaps the most gifted British footballer ever but did not quite make it to the FIFA World Cup.
Regarded by manay as one of the best footballers ever, but he never played at the World Cup. Source: M.E.N
Northern Ireland manager Milly Bingham nearly picked Best for the 1982 World Cup in Spain, but did not think the level of football played in America( Where Best was plying his trade then) was good enough for international level.
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4. George Weah (Liberia)
The former World footballer of the year could as well be the greatest footballer Africa will ever produce.
Arguably the greatest footballer Africa have ever produced, he never played at the World Cup. Source: Naij.com
However Liberia have never qualified for the football showpiece hence George Weah never came close to showing his football abilities with Liberia on the World stage.
5. Abedi Ayew ( Ghana)
He was often likened to the Brazilian football legend, Pele, he was that good with ball, one of Africa's most talented footballers ever.
Abedi Ayew was Blackstars Captain in the 80s and early 90s. Source: Ghanasoccernet
He won the French League Title and won the African footballer of the year three times, Ghana withdrew from the 1982 World Cup and never qualified for any after then during his playing days.
Other notable mentions are Manchester United legend Eric Cantona who was dropped by the French manager for USA 94, Alfredo Di Stefano, a Real Madrid legend failed to play at the World Cup, he had three different nationalities(Colombia, Argentina and Spain).
Source: Sports.naija.ng