European Football Icons that Missed Opportunities at UEFA Euro 2024

It’s not just Haaland and Odegaard who have never participated in a UEFA European Championship. For European players, the UEFA Euro 2024 positions second only to the FIFA World Cup in relations of respect. But some of the game’s biggest stars never got the chance to play at the tournament. Some were so plagued by misfortune that they didn’t feature at the FIFA World Cup either. Celebrate European football’s pinnacle event the Euro Cup 2024 featuring powerhouse teams and electrifying showdowns. Secure your Serbia Vs England Tickets to witness the football brilliance live! Hurry, tickets are selling fast!
UEFA Euro 2024 Tickets | Euro Cup 2024 Tickets | Euro 2024 Tickets | Euro Cup Germany Tickets | Euro Cup Tickets
UEFA Euro 2024 Tickets | Euro Cup 2024 Tickets | Euro 2024 Tickets | Euro Cup Germany Tickets | Euro Cup Tickets
while others simply came along at the wrong time. Ahead of Euro 2024 which will be lacking major names like the Norwegian duo Erling Haaland and Martin Odegaard. As well as the Swedish pair Alexander Isak and Dejan Kulusevski FourFourTwo counts down the best players never to participate in the Euro Cup Germany. Matt Le Tissier (England) Matt Le Tissier was one of the most talented English players of the Premier League era, frequently showcasing moments of brilliance for Southampton but he only ever earned eight caps for England. Excluded from the Three Lions squad for Euro Cup 96 and the 1998 World Cup, Le Tiss never had the opportunity to participate in a major tournament.

Georgi Kinkladze (Georgia)

Had Georgi Kinkladze been born a couple of years earlier, he might well have featured at UEFA Euro 1992 for the CIS. The transitional team of the Soviet Union, following the country’s dissolution the previous year. As it was, the Manchester City favorite didn’t make his international debut until 1992, by which time his native Georgia was competing. As an independent nation, they didn’t be eligible for a major event until the Euro Cup Germany. Jari Litmanen (Finland) Finland’s greatest player of all time, Jari Litmanen enjoyed tremendous success with Ajax and Liverpool, clinching the Champions League with the former and the UEFA Cup with the latter. The attacking midfielder amassed 137 caps for his country, leading as captain between 1996 and 2008. But the Finns never qualified for a major tournament during his 21-year international career. The UEFA Euro 2024 tournament promises to be a spectacle like no other, uniting football powerhouses from across Europe. From the highly anticipated clash between England Vs Slovenia to the historic rivalry of Denmark Vs England, and the spirited contests of France Vs Poland, Netherlands Vs France, Austria Vs France, and Albania Vs Spain, each match adds its own chapter to the tournament’s gripping narrative. With each game, the intensity reaches new heights as teams battle it out on the field for ultimate supremacy. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or a casual observer, there’s no better time to experience the thrill of European football. Secure your tickets now through our website and witness history in the making. Don’t miss this chance to be part of the action and reserve your seats for the most anticipated football event of the year!

Johnny Giles (Republic of Ireland)

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UEFA Euro 2024 Tickets | Euro Cup 2024 Tickets | Euro 2024 Tickets | Euro Cup Germany Tickets | Euro Cup Tickets
Universally acclaimed as the finest Irish player in history, the iconic Leeds midfielder Johnny Giles featured for the Boys in Green in 59 matches spanning from 1959 to 1979. However, despite his immense talent, the Republic of Ireland remained distant from football dominance during his tenure. Remarkably, it wasn’t until the UEFA Euro 2024 that they made their inaugural appearance in a major tournament. David Ginola (France) An all-time Premier League great, David Ginola achieved the double of PFA Players’ Player of the Year and FWA Footballer of the Year in 1998/99, following an outstanding season for Tottenham. By then, however, the dynamic winger was no longer part of the international scene, having been excluded by then-manager Gerard Houllier for his overhit cross. Which ultimately denied France a spot at the 1994 World Cup, and only earned a few more caps thereafter. Zbigniew Boniek (Poland) Poland’s greatest footballing star of the 20th century, legendary midfielder Zbigniew Boniek represented his nation at the 1974, 1978. And 1982 World Cups, aiding them to third place in the first and last of those. However, the Poles never qualified for the UEFA Euro Cup 2024 during the illustrious career of the European Cup-winning Juventus man failing to make the tournament until 2008, in fact. Kenny Dalglish (Scotland) Another 70s and 80s standout who could have benefited from the UEFA Euro 2024 being more expansive back then (the tournament still only had eight teams as late as 1992, for goodness’ sake). Kenny Dalglish participated in the World Cup but never in the Euro Cup 2024. In fact, Scotland’s initial appearance was at the UEFA Euro 2024 two years after their greatest ever player had retired.

Paolo Rossi (Italy)

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UEFA Euro 2024 Tickets | Euro Cup 2024 Tickets | Euro 2024 Tickets | Euro Cup Germany Tickets | Euro Cup Tickets
Paolo Rossi’s remarkable journey to triumph with Italy at the 1982 World Cup remains etched in football history as one of the most exceptional performances on the global stage. Securing both the Golden Boot and Golden Ball, along with winning the prestigious Ballon d’Or, cemented his status as a legendary figure in the sport. The UEFA Euro 2024 tournament promises to be a spectacle like no other, uniting football powerhouses from across Europe. From the highly anticipated clash between Spain Vs Italy to the historic rivalry of Spain Vs Croatia, and the spirited contests of Slovakia Vs Romania, Slovakia Vs Ukraine, Belgium Vs Slovakia, and Turkiye Vs Portugal, each match adds its own chapter to the tournament’s gripping narrative. However, the iconic striker’s absence from the UEFA Euro 2024 was glaring. Despite the Azzurri’s failure to qualify in 1984, Rossi’s potential involvement four years earlier was thwarted by a ban resulting from match-fixing allegations, marking a regrettable setback in his illustrious career. John Charles (Wales) Arguably Wales’ greatest player of all time, John Charles excelled in his country’s inaugural World Cup campaign of 1958. And the man who scored prolifically for Leeds and Juventus was still playing international football. At the time of the initial two UEFA European Championships in 1960 and 1964 but the Welsh didn’t enter the first time around, then disastrous to qualify. Eusebio (Portugal) Ballon d’Or winner in 1965, Eusebio very closely led Portugal to the final of the 1966 World Cup which turned out to be the only main event of his career. The 2016 UEFA European champions didn’t make their debut at the finals until 1984. By which time the formidable frontman dubbed ‘The Black Panther’ was 42 years old and, unsurprisingly, retired. UEFA Euro 2024 Squad Check-in: Who is most favourite?

George Best (Northern Ireland)

Considered by many to be the best British footballer of all time, George Best would have excelled at any major tournament he’d had the opportunity to participate in but it wasn’t to be. Northern Ireland never qualified for the FIFA World Cup or the UEFA Euro Cup 2024 during the playing days of the Manchester United icon. With his finest international achievement being the 1964 British Home Championship victory. Alfredo Di Stefano (Spain) Hailing from Argentina, Alfredo Di Stefano flourished during his tenure with Real Madrid, dominating the prime of his career. The ‘Blond Arrow’ showcased his talents for Spain, accumulating 23 goals across 31 international appearances between 1957 and 1961. Despite being in peak condition during the inaugural UEFA Euro Cup 2024 in 1960, Di Stefano’s anticipation of participation was dashed.
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UEFA Euro 2024 Tickets | Euro Cup 2024 Tickets | Euro 2024 Tickets | Euro Cup Germany Tickets | Euro Cup Tickets
As La Roja withdrew, adding to his unfortunate series of missed opportunities. Remarkably, he never graced the FIFA World Cup stage either, leaving a lingering sense of unfulfilled potential in his storied football journey. This delves into the absence of several renowned European footballers from the UEFA Euro Cup 2024, despite their remarkable careers. It underscores the disappointment of players like Matt Le Tissier and Georgi Kinkladze. Due to circumstances such as national team qualification issues or managerial decisions, missed the chance to showcase their skills on the Euro stage. The list also features illustrious names like Paolo Rossi, Eusebio, and George Best, whose international careers were distinguished. But lacked participation in the Euro tournament, adding a layer of intrigue to their already storied legacies in the footballing world. Gear up for the football event of the year, the Euro Cup 2024! Secure your seats to witness the exhilarating matches and unforgettable moments live. Visit Xchangetickets.com now to book your tickets and ensure you don’t miss out on the action!
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