The 15 Greatest Players Who Never Won the World Cup

Finals lost on penalties, semi-final heartbreaks and entire careers of everything-but-the-trophy. Whose empty cabinet shelf hurts the most?

1

Raúl

Real Madrid's record legend whose Spain era ended just before their golden run.

1000pts

2

Eusébio

The 1966 tournament's top scorer, stopped in the semi-final by England.

900pts

3

Cristiano Ronaldo

Six World Cups, every other major honour won — never the biggest one.

877pts

4

Johan Cruyff

The face of Total Football lost the 1974 final and never lifted the trophy.

840pts

5

Paolo Maldini

Four World Cups and 23 matches for Italy's great defender — no title, retiring before the 2006 win.

800pts

6

Sócrates

The philosopher-captain of the great Brazil teams of 1982 and 1986.

692pts

7

Robert Lewandowski

One of the great No. 9s, whose Poland sides never went deep.

600pts

8

Luka Modrić

Dragged Croatia to the 2018 final and a 2022 semi, then bowed out in 2026 at 40 — still without the trophy.

491pts

9

Alfredo Di Stéfano

Real Madrid's five-time European champion never played a single World Cup match.

360pts

10

George Best

One of the greatest ever — Northern Ireland never gave him a World Cup stage.

360pts

11

Roberto Baggio

Carried Italy to the 1994 final and missed the decisive penalty.

360pts

12

Oliver Kahn

The 2002 Golden Ball goalkeeper whose one final ended in defeat.

360pts

13

Ferenc Puskás

The Mighty Magyars' captain scored in the 1954 final Hungary somehow lost.

200pts

14

Zlatan Ibrahimović

Sweden's greatest modern player never got past the group stages.

200pts

15

Zico

The White Pelé led Brazil's beloved 1982 side that fell to Italy.

200pts