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KAZAN, Russia (AP) – Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are undoubtedly two of the best footballers in history. The elimination of Argentina and Portugal on Saturday means that it is very difficult for any of these two idols to win the World Cup.
Both are over 30 and it seems inevitable that they join a list of great players who could not crown their international career with the most coveted title of all.
Then six great players who have never won the World Cup.
ALFREDO DI STÉFANO
Born in Argentina in 1926 and naturalized Spanish 30 years later, Di Stéfano is considered by many of the best players in history. He played in the selections of these two countries, something that was allowed at that time, but never challenged even a part of a glbad of the world.
At the time of his retirement, he was the top scorer in the history of Real Madrid, a team with which he won five European Cups and eight championships in Spain. His signature in 1952 is considered the starting point for the transformation of the Merengue Club into one of the most successful in history.
The "Saeta Rubia" refused to play with Argentina at the 1950 World Cup, due to a disagreement with the leaders of Brazil, the host of this contest. With Spain, he failed to advance to Sweden in 1958, and an injury prevented him from joining the team in Chile in 1962.
FERENC PUSKAS
In the early 1950s, Hungary was the best team in the world and reached the 1954 World Cup in Switzerland as a favorite. After all, he had not lost in four years and was led by Puskas, the most complete player in the world.
Puskas was creative, excellent at controlling the ball and fearsome with the shot. Nicknamed the "Galloping Major", for his rank in the army, Puskas scored one of two goals that gave Hungary a 2-0 lead early in the final. But West Germany rallied and won 3-2 to the Magyars.
Like Cristiano and Di Stéfano, Puskas is tired of winning European titles with Real Madrid. But he did not have more opportunities in the World Cup, having moved to Spain after the crushing of the Hungarian Revolution in 1956.
] EUSEBIO
England won the 1966 World Cup in her own home. But the star of this competition was undoubtedly the Portuguese striker Eusebio Da Silva Ferreira.
A native of Mozambique, Eusebio was perhaps the first great African footballer. He made a powerful shot and scored nine amazing goals in six World Cup matches, including four against North Korea, which allowed Portugal to come out of a difficult situation and then make its debut. in the tournament.
And although he converted a penalty in the semifinal against England, Eusebio left crying Wembley after the 2-1 defeat.
Portugal did not return to a World Cup with Eusebio, which nevertheless left an indelible memory in the tournament.
GEORGE BEST
At least, Eusebio was able to play in a World Cup. Like Di Stéfano, George Best never had this opportunity because Northern Ireland was not qualified for the tournament during his time.
But he was one of the most talented footballers ever seen. A genius.
The world had to be content to see Best perform his magic tricks with Manchester United, especially in 1968, when he played a role in United's 4-1 triumph over Eusebio Benfica in the Coupe de France final. ;Europe. . After the end of regulation time tied 1-1, Best scored the second goal of his team to get rid of goalkeeper José Henrique and calmly set before empty goal.
Unfortunately, Best's glory days did not last as long as his talent deserved it. After a life marked by alcoholism, he died in 2005.
JOHAN CRUYFF
The Dutch table of 1974 and the Hungarian Puskas of 1954 are considered by many as the best teams that have never won the World Cup.
Filled with players from Feyenoord and Ajax, who dominated the European Cup in the early 1970s, the team presented to the world "Total Football", a strategy that virtually ignored positions since the players were interchangeable in the field at any time.
And the heart of all that was Johan Cruyff. Flexible and with perfect balance, he could do with the ball what many have only dared to dream. The "Giro Cruyff", for example, was seen for the first time at the 1974 World Cup. With Swedish defender Jan Olsson behind him, Cruyff dragged the right-footed ball to the left behind his side. Suddenly back to the spherical Olson was perplexed, as was the rest of the world.
Cruyff scored three goals in the tournament, including a superb volley volley against Brazil that confirmed Holland's move to the final, where the "Orange Mechanic" was widely favored against Germany's West local. However, the Dutch could not extend a fast lead and the Germans rallied to win 2-1.
Cruyff did not go to the World Cup four years later in Argentina after retiring from the team shortly before the tournament. Subsequently revealed that his absence was due to months ago had been undergoing an attempt at kidnapping.
ZICO
Brazil is the best winner with five World Cups. But among these titles there was a drought of 24 years.
Without a doubt, the best player in Brazil between 1970 and 1994 was Zico.
In 1982, Zico was part of a dynamic Brazilian team that imposed himself as a serious contender for his first title in 12 years. They were numerous and often sensational.
Zico was the piston of the midfielder, moving the strings of Brazil with his pbades. But, ultimately, the team's faults were expensive and Italy, with the help of Paolo Rossi, eliminated it in a game with clbadic touches.
Since then, no Brazilian team has played with such an offensive mentality. And arguably, Brazil has not had a midfielder like Zico despite the addition of world titles in 1994 and 2002.
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