Five-time Ballon d'Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo, 2018. (more) 13 Famous Football (Soccer) Players Who Have Never Won a World Cup Written by Andrew Pereira Andrew Pereira is a senior editor at Encyclopaedia Britannica. He covers a variety of topics, with a focus on Indian politics, foreign policy, and global affairs. Andrew Pereira Fact-checked by Britannica Editors Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... Britannica Editors Last updated May 28, 2026 •History In many ways football (soccer) is a game of luck just as it is a game of skill, technical mastery, and team play. A single injury, a missed penalty, a controversial red card, or a moment of sheer brilliance from the opposing team can determine the performance of a player, no matter how talented. And so it has been that some of the most famous exponents of football have never won a FIFA World Cup,...

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