These greats range from World Cup winners to European champions!
The League trophies were formerly thought to be the most esteemed title. Being the league champion is unique. It's unique in that league seasons reveal which side has been the greatest over an extended period of play, in contrast to cup tournaments, which might depend on chance, luck, the draw, or a few crucial minutes in a tie. During their careers, the majority of the best players win league championships. Some even manage to win several championships. However, many greats, due to several factors, miss their chance at the league title. In this list, we will explore those unfortunate legends!
Garrincha won a number of championships at Botafogo in a 12-year tenure and was a key player in Brazil's back-to-back World Cup victories in 1958 and 1962. They comprised state titles, friendly matches, and Rio-Sao Paulo tournaments, but no Brazilian league championship. In 1968, Botafogo did win it, but by then, the winger with the bent legs had moved on.
Steven Gerrard nearly joined Jose Mourinho's Chelsea that summer after playing a key role in Liverpool's Champions League victory in 2005. One of England's greatest midfielders could have secured a Premier League title if he had moved to West London. However, he remained at Liverpool and never achieved this feat, despite coming close in 2009 and 2014. In 2014, he famously slipped in a crucial match against Chelsea, resulting in a goal for the opposing team in a 2-0 loss.
A disappointed Steven Gerrard
Gary Lineker, one of England's greatest strikers ever, led the Three Lions in scoring with 48 goals in 80 games and was the tournament's top scorer in 1986. Lineker never did win a league championship, although he did win an FA Cup with Tottenham, a Copa del Rey, and a UEFA Cup Winners' Cup with Barcelona. He finished second in La Liga twice while playing for Barça, and in his one season at Goodison Park (1985–86), Everton came in second.
Sócrates is best remembered for being a member of the 1982 squad that was part of the greatest Brazilian team never to win the World Cup. At the club level, the offensive midfielder also didn't have much success. Despite playing for teams like Corinthians, Flamengo, and Santos, he never won a major award or a championship throughout his career, with the exception of a few provincial wins.
One of Spain's golden age of players, Fernando Torres won the World Cup and two European titles with his team. During his playing career, Torres represented some of the top teams in Europe, winning the Europa League with Atletico Madrid and the Champions League with Chelsea. But he didn't win a league championship in Spain or England when his career ended.
Bobby Moore, who led England to victory in the 1966 World Cup, is regarded as one of the all-time great defenders. Moore played his whole career with West Ham United. He never won a league championship with the Irons, but he did win an FA Cup and a European Cup Winners' Cup.
Though the German player was able to win the World Cup in 1990 and the European Championship six years later, he was unable to bring home any hardware at the club level. Among the greatest midfielders of his period, Hassler finished second twice in the Bundesliga with FC Koln and lost championship games at both Juventus and Roma.
Other names include players such as Gordan Banks, Antonio Di Natale, Robbie Fowler, and Gaizka Mendieta.
