Winning an international trophy is the pinnacle of success for a football player. The pride and passion that players exude when they wear the national kit cannot be replicated anywhere else.
You may win 5 Champions League, but it will never even come close to winning a World Cup for your country. Such is the ecstasy of winning the World Cup, that can change a nation forever.
Now, in order to reach this pinnacle in football, one must play for their country first. However, there are instances when even the good players miss out on this chance due to sheer competition in the team.
If a player is talented enough and lives in China, he will easily fit in that team. however, if you are born in countries that are powerhouses of football like Brazil or Germany, simply being good won’t suffice.
To break into these world-class footballing teams, you simply have to be world-class.
So, here is a list of players who, despite their ability, we’re unable to play for their national team!
A list of the best-uncapped players in football.
Jimmy Case (England)
Case, possibly England’s greatest uncapped player, was a member of the all-conquering Liverpool team of the 1970s. Because he was a key member of such a successful team, there was a good potential that international recognition would follow, but it never came for the midfielder.
Despite not being called up to the national squad, the Englishman won four league titles, three European Cups, and one UEFA Cup during his illustrious tenure at Anfield.
Dario Hubner (Italy)
Hubner was entitled to represent both Italy and Germany because his father was German, but having been born and bred in Italy, Hubner believed himself to be a true Italian.
The poor work rate and behavioral concerns (he was sent off ten times in his career) meant that Italian managers did not want to take the risk of selecting the temperamental striker.
The lanky attacker, on the other hand, scored 217 goals in 436 career appearances, earning the uncommon distinction of winning the Golden Boot in all three of Italy’s major divisions.
Paolo Di Canio (Italy)
Di Canio began his career at Lazio, then moved on to Juventus, Napoli, and AC Milan before a brief stint with Celtic in Scotland. In 1997, he was elected SPFA Players’ Player of the Year.
He played for Sheffield Wednesday, West Ham United, and Charlton Athletic in England. His best years were spent with West Ham United, where he played from 1999 until 2003.
He received the FIFA Fair Play Award in 2001, but he was also known for his controversial political views.
Di Canio, as insane as he was clever, was a self-proclaimed fascist with a tattoo of Benito Mussolini on his back.
As a result, few can doubt his devotion to his nation, and he would have taken tremendous delight in representing the Azzuri.
Bert Trautmann (Germany)
Bert Trautmann, a Nazi sergeant during World War II who became a prisoner of war when the Germans were beaten, was the greatest goalie who never represented his country.
Manchester City fans became enraged when the team opted to sign the former Nazi sergeant, and 20,000 season ticket holders threatened to boycott the club in protest. Trautmann, on the other hand, quickly won over fans with his bold efforts, even winning the FWA player of the year award in 1956, making him the first goalie to do so.