The World Cup is not for everyone. Throughout history, only 471 footballers have managed to win it; among them, just 20 have become two-time champions and only Pelé lifted the trophy three times. That fact alone shows how difficult it is to conquer the most coveted title in football.

Over the years, there have been extraordinary players who shined on nearly every possible stage. They won titles, defined eras, and left their mark on their clubs and national teams. However, for different reasons, the World Cup was the one trophy they never managed to lift. These are some of the most surprising cases.

Legends Who Fell Just Short

Johan Cruyff

Dutch icon Johan Cruyff revolutionized football with his talent and vision of the game, both on and off the pitch. In 1974, he led the famous “Clockwork Orange” of the Netherlands to the World Cup final.

That team played the legendary “Total Football” and seemed destined for glory, but ultimately fell to West Germany, led by Franz Beckenbauer. Cruyff won nearly everything at the club and individual level, but the world title always eluded him.

Ferenc Puskás

Hungarian legend Ferenc Puskás was one of the great stars of Real Madrid during the club’s golden era and the leader of the legendary “Mighty Magyars.”

That Hungary national team appeared destined to win the 1954 World Cup. They scored 27 goals in the tournament — a record that still stands — and were virtually unbeatable for years. Between 1950 and 1956, they won 42 matches and drew seven.

However, their only defeat came at the most painful moment: the final, in the famous “Miracle of Bern,” when West Germany defeated Hungary 3–2.

Michel Platini

Elegant French midfielder Michel Platini dominated much of the 1980s. He won three Ballon d’Or awards, led France to victory in UEFA Euro 1984, and lifted the European Cup in 1985 with Juventus.

Despite his immense talent, he never managed to take France beyond the World Cup semifinals, which they reached in 1982 and 1986.

Modern Stars Who Also Missed Out

Marco van Basten

Marco van Basten is widely regarded as one of the most elegant and lethal strikers in football history. With AC Milan, he won nearly everything and was also awarded the Ballon d’Or three times.

He also led the Netherlands to their first European Championship in 1988, scoring one of the most iconic goals in football history. However, injuries derailed his career and prevented him from playing in the 1994 World Cup, which many believed could have been his defining global stage.

Neymar

More recently, Neymar has joined this list. At the club level, he has won nearly everything he has competed for and helped Brazil secure its first-ever Olympic gold medal in football.

However, in the World Cup, his journey has been more complicated. His best result has been reaching the quarterfinals. In 2014, when Brazil reached the semifinals, Neymar was injured and could not play in the historic 7–1 defeat against Germany.

Cristiano Ronaldo

Finally, there is Cristiano Ronaldo, one of the most successful footballers of all time. His incredible résumé includes multiple Champions League titles, several Ballon d’Or awards, and the European Championship with Portugal.

However, the World Cup remains the one major trophy missing from his collection. Since his debut in 2006, his best result was finishing fourth place with Portugal. In the tournaments that followed, he never came close to the semifinals again.

The next World Cup could represent his final opportunity. Portugal has a talented generation that could help him end his international career with the one trophy he still lacks.

Because in the end, the World Cup is football’s ultimate dream — and only a few truly know how much the trophy weighs.

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