World Cups Missing Greats / Greats Missing World Cups

[Ramseth]

- Alfredo di Stefano (Argentina & Spain), missed both 1950 and 1954 World Cups at the peak of his powers amidst the confusion of Argentina boycotting the World Cup and his migration to Spain.

- George Best (Northern Ireland), elected to play for Northern Ireland instead of England (he was given a choice since he has parents one from each side). Missed World Cups 1966 and 1970 at the peak of his wizardry as Northern Ireland failed to qualify.

- Kevin Keegan (England), missed World Cups 1974 and 1978 as England plunged into their spell of dark ages, failing to qualify for 2 consecutive World Cups. By 1982 when England qualified again, he was mostly out injured and featured for the last quarter of a game against Spain only.

- Allan Simonsen (Denmark), also missed World Cup 1978 but he laid a great foundation for Denmark's later successes the 80s onward.

- Ian Rush (Wales), unlike George Best who had a choice, Rush has to play for Wales. Well, Wales hardly ever qualify for anything.

- George Weah (Liberia). Well, Liberia also hardly qualify for anything.

- Eric Cantona (France), missed World Cups 1990 and 1994 at the peak of his powers as it was France's turn to plunge into their spell of dark ages, failing to qualify for 2 consecutive World Cups. By 1998 when France hosted (and eventually won) the World Cup, he has been deselected.

- Ryan Giggs (Wales), like George Best, had a choice, his was between England and Wales. He elected England U21 but for some reasons probably known only to himself, converted to Wales at full international senior level.

- Anymore to add?

 

[Ramseth]

Notables from Holland, land of the Dutch masters:

- Johan Cryuff had more than his share of World Cup glory just one step short of actually winning the World Cup in 1974. But though he helped Holland to qualify for 1978, he boycotted the main tournament in Argentina in a midst of anti-military government protest and threat of abduction or assasination.

- After the all-time highs of reaching two Grand Finals consecutively in 1974 and 1978, it was Holland's turn to plunge into their dark ages, failing to qualify for 2 consecutive World Cups in 1982 and 1986, during which time Ruud Gullit and Marco van Basten were their top players, and indeed among the top players in the world. By the time Holland qualified for the World Cup again in 1990, Gullit and van Basten were already dwindling stars and played like pale shadows of their former selves.

 

[po2wq]

... - Anymore to add?

gt! ...

sg's gr8 vision 2010 ... missin world cup by a whisker ... a mile long whisker though ...

but ... dey wun b missed! ...

 

[Ramseth]

gt! ...

sg's gr8 vision 2010 ... missin world cup by a whisker ... a mile long whisker though ...

but ... dey wun b missed! ...

http://www.sammyboy.com/showthread.php?t=37421

Singapore 3 Uzbekistan 7....very thick whisker to miss by.

But then, perhaps Singapore is missed by some top strikers gunning for the World Cup golden boot. If Singapore qualifies, their team gets Singapore in their group, good and easy opportunity to score hell of a lot of goals!

 

[po2wq]

sum other world cup gr8s' misses ... n world cup gr8s' missus ...

 

[po2wq]

a gr8 miss @ ze world cup ...

<embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/eawlZjqho4w&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed>​

 

[Ramseth]

Horrible how supposedly great stars missed penalties under pressure. Zico of Brazil missed against France in 1986 too. Van Basten of Holland also missed against Germany in 1990.