A player’s brilliance is often measured by the number of titles they managed to win. However, some of history’s greatest football players have gone through their entire careers without ever laying their hands on a major title.
The following are just five great footballers who have or will retire without ever winning a significant piece of silverware.
1. Jermain Defoe
Image Source: goal.com
Currently leading the Bournemouth attack, Jermain Defoe has had a stellar career as one of the Premier League’s all-time leading goal scorers. However, baring a sudden change of Bournemouth’s fortunes, or a move to China or the US, Defoe is likely to end his career without ever winning any silverware. In fact, the Defoe has been downright unlucky. The forward left Spurs the week before the won the League Cap and then was cup-tied (ineligible to play) for his new club Portsmouth when they won the FA Cup.
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2. Socrates
Image Source: eurosport.fr
Considered by many to be one of, if not the greatest midfielders of all time, Socrates would be denied silverware again and again. Nicknamed “Doctor Socrates”, the midfielder did win a few regional/state championships at the club level. However, the bizarre system of leagues and cups that clubs compete for in Brazil is generally baffling to the rest of the world and, as a result are generally ignored. Any silverware of consequence would allude Socrates. He never won a World Cup, Copa America or a League title.
3. Giuseppe Signori
As one of the most prolific goal scorers in Serie A history, you would think Giuseppe Signori would have won a league title or maybe even a Copa Italia. He didn’t. To put it into context, Signori is tied ninth all-time Serie goal scorer with Alessandro Del Piero. Del Piero won six Serie A Titles, a World Cup, a Champ League title and a Coppa Italia. Signori on other had won a Serie B title and an Intertoto Cup. So, nothing.
4. Antonio Di Natale
Image Source: goal.com
After scoring 209 goals over a 20-year career in the Serie A, Antonio Di Natale retired without ever winning any team silverware. Di Natale was the Serie A Top Scorer for two years, the Serie A footballer of the year in 2010, and was selected as part of the Serie A team of the year three years running (2010-11, 2011-12 and 2012-13). Despite all of this, he would never win a Series A title, a World Cup, a Champions League title or a Coppa Italia. The best he would managed over his career was a runners-up medal for the 2012 UEFA European Championship.
5. Les Ferdinand
Image Source: skysports.com
After appearing in 351 Premier League games for no fewer than 8 clubs, Les Ferdinand retired without winning a single major title. Despite his lack of silverware, Ferdinand managed to score 149 goals and is currently the 10th highest Premier League goal scorer of all time.
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