Source: Daily_Mail
THE LIST: The best footballers to have never played in the World Cup
HAVE YOUR SAY... Who is the greatest player to never play at the World Cup? The World Cup draw takes place on Friday when the world's top stars will discover who they go head-to-head with in South Africa. It is the pinnacle of any player's career but there are plenty of leading figures who have missed out over the years. Who do you think is the greatest player to never walk out at the World Cup? TELL US WHAT YOU THINK With the 2010 World Cup draw taking place in Cape Town today, spare athought for the nations that won't be pulled out of the hat for nextsummer's finals in South Africa.[LNB]And then consider the host ofworld class stars who won't be there either next June. Keane, Arshavin,Adebayor and Cech immediately spring to mind.[LNB]But who are the best ever players to have never played in what is the pinnacle of any footballer's career?[LNB]Sportsmail'sexperts have cast their deciding votes to draw up ourall-star list of 50 - and today we reveal our top 10.[LNB]And, as ever, make sure you have your say...[LNB]Read Nos 50-41Read Nos 40-31Read Nos 30-21Read Nos 20-1110. Bernd SchusterSchuster (right) was a footballer of real quality - winning domestic and European titles during his playing career in Germany and Spain. [LNB]He was part of the West Germany side who won the 1980 European Championships but he retired from international football four years later at the age of 24 after a series of disagreements with the German FA.[LNB] 9. Liam BradyOne of Arsenal's all-time greats, 'Chippy' wonthe FA Cup, two league titles with Italian giants Juventus and made 72appearances for his country - but none of them on the biggest stage ashe retired from the international game during qualification for 1990finals in Italy.[LNB] Decorated: Brady won plenty of silverware but missed out on Italia 90[LNB]8. Valentino MazzolaThe charismatic Italian was one of the greatest all-round footballers to have ever graced the game. Mazzola was comfortable in any position. [LNB]He won four Italian titles with Torino but lost his life in the Superga disaster in which all but one of the Torino team died after their plane crashed on the way home from a match with Lisbon. [LNB]7. Eric CantonaCantona made his France debut in 1987 but ayear later was indefinitely banned from all international matches aftermaking a derogatory remark about the then manager Henri Michel. [LNB]Returned three years later but missed out on the 1994 finals afterFrance lost at home to Bulgaria in their final qualifying match, whenthey only required a draw to qualify. [LNB]Cantona (right) was appointed captain ayear later but the infamous Selhurst Park karate kick and subsequentnine-month ban cost him his place at France 98 as Aime Jacquet built hisside around Zinedine Zidane.[LNB]6. Duncan EdwardsThe Dudley-born midfielder was signed by Manchester United as a teenager in the early 1950s and was tipped to take England all the way at a World Cup during his career. [LNB]He made his international debut in 1955 but was one of eight players who died in the Munich air disaster.[LNB] Tragedy: Edwards died in hospital after the crash - aged just 21[LNB]5. Ian RushRushie is famous for three things; that moustache, scoring goals and never appearing at a finals. [LNB]The Welsh legend won the European Cup and five League titles with Liverpool but, like many of his countrymen, was deprived of appearing on the biggest stage.[LNB] 4. George WeahDuring his career Weah was named FIFA World Player of the Year, European Footballer of the Year, and African Footballer of the Year and won League titles with Paris Saint Germain and AC Milan. [LNB]However, it wasn't a similar story in his international career - Weah played, coached and even financed Liberia but never they have never reached a World Cup.[LNB] One thing missing: Rush (left), Weah (centre) and Giggs never made it[LNB]3. Ryan GiggsEleven League titles, two Champions League crowns and four FA Cup medals make Giggs the most decorated player in the history of the English game.[LNB] But as a Welshman not around in 1958.......[LNB]2. George BestThe Manchester United legend was named European Football of the Year and lifted the European Cup in 1968 but he was unable to lead Northern Ireland to the finals despite being capped 37 times and scoring nine goals between 1964-77.[LNB]Best was briefly considered by manager Billy Bingham for the 1982 World Cup in Spain but the 36-year-old's skills had been dulled by his off-field antics.[LNB] One of the Best: The World Cup missed out by Georgie never making it[LNB]1. Alfredo Di StefanoDescribed by Diego Maradona as the best player to have ever graced the game, Di Stefano played for Argentina, Colombia and Spain but was denied an appearance in the finals by a cruel mix of politics, injury and bad luck.[LNB]He was denied the chance of playing in the 1950 tournament by Argentina refusing to enter and then ruled out of the 1954 finals by FIFA after representing Colombia.[LNB]He acquired Spanish citizenship in 1956 but Spain failed to qualify for the 1958 World Cup finals. [LNB]In 1961, Stefano who had already won five European Cups, helped Spain qualify for the 1962 finals but a muscular injury prevented him from playing. He retired from international football after that.[LNB]World star: Alfredo Di Stefano (left) leads out a Rest Of The World team against England for the FA Centenary Cup at Wembley[LNB]The best of the rest of The ListSportsmail's top 50 Merseyside derby heroesSportsmail's top 50 players from Tottenham or ArsenalSportsmail's top 50 football kits of all time Sportsmail's top 50 sporting feuds of all timeSportsmail's 50 great sports photographsSportsmail's worst 50 strikers in the Premier LeagueSportsmail's top 50 stars who failed to play fairSportsmail's top 50 midfield maestrosSportsmail's top 50 commentators of all timeSportsmail's top 50 sporting venuesSportsmail's top 50 free-kick kingsSportsmail's top 50 England heroesSportsmail's top 50 performers of the season so farSportsmail's top 50 all-time managers in BritainSportsmail's top 50 goal poachersSportsmail's top 50 footballing traitorsSportsmail's top 50 FA Cup heroesSportsmail's top 50 signings of the season Sportsmail's greatest Wembley finals in historySportsmail's top 50 biggest hitters in cricketSportsmail's top 50 British & Irish LionsSportsmail's top 50 Ashes heroesSportsmail's top 50 partnerships[LNB][LNB] [LNB] Explore more:People:George Best, Zinedine Zidane, Diego Maradona, Alfredo Di StefanoPlaces:Liverpool, Lisbon, Cape Town, Munich, Colombia, Spain, Liberia, Bulgaria, South Africa, France, Italy, Germany, Northern Ireland, Argentina, United Kingdom
