FIFA meaning Fédération Internationale de Football Association (the International Federation of Association Football), is often called The FIFA World Cup or the World Cup. The world cup is held every four years, and our favorite footballers make everyone stay glued to their TV. However, there are quite a number of our favorite footballers who no longer play in the world cup, and they include;
1. Wayne Rooney
Wayne Mark Rooney who was born on the 24th day of October 1985, is an English professional football manager and player, who is the manager of Major League Soccer club D.C. United in the United States. He scored 253 goals for Manchester United in all games and he came fifth in the vote for the 2011 FIFA Ballon d’Or. He was named in the FIFA FIFPro World XI in 2011. Rooney featured at the 2006, 2010, and 2014 World Cups, and was widely regarded as his country’s best player. He retired as a player when named Derby Couty’s permanent boss in January 2021.
2. Sergio Aguero
Sergio Leonel Agüero del Castillo who was born 2nd day of June 1988, is an Argentine former professional footballer, who played as a striker. He is considered one of the best strikers of his generation and one of the greatest players in the history of the Premier League, during his decade-long association with Manchester City. Agüero is Argentina’s third-highest all-time top goalscorer and has earned over 100 caps, representing the senior team at three FIFA World Cups in 2010, 2014, and 2018. Aguero was diagnosed with a cardiac arrhythmia (or irregular heartbeat) and was forced to announce his early retirement in December 2021.
3. Gonzalo Higuain
Gonzalo Gerardo Higuaín who was born on the 10th day of December 1987, is an Argentine former professional footballer who played as a striker. Nicknamed El Pipita or Pipa, Higuaín was a prolific striker, known for his eye for goal, strong physique, and offensive movements. Higuain played 75 times for his country, scoring 31 goals in the process, making him the sixth on the list of all-time leading scorers. He represented his country in three world cups, making the 2018 world cup his last. Gonzalo Higuain announced he will be retiring at the end of the 2022 Major League Soccer (MLS) season.
4. Antonio Valencia
Luis Antonio Valencia who was born on the 4th day of August 1985, is an Ecuadorian former professional footballer who played primarily as a right-sided player throughout his career, initially as a right winger, before developing into a right-back. Antonio Valencia played for Ecuador in two World Cup tournaments, in 2006 and 2014. He retired in 2021 after a series of a knee injuries.
5. Nicklas Bendtner
Nicklas Bendtner who was born on the 16th day of January 1988 is a Danish former professional footballer who played as a forward. His preferred position was center-forward, but he has also played on the right side of the attack, and occasionally on the left. A large, tall, and physically strong player, he was known for his ability in the air and possessed a powerful header. Bendtner was a member of Denmark’s 2010 FIFA World Cup. He announced his retirement in 2021.
6. Stewart Downing
Stewart Downing who was born on the 22nd day of July 1984, is an English former professional footballer who played most of his career as a winger, where he operated predominantly on the left-hand side, though he could play on the right and go inside on to his stronger left foot. Downing had played more recently as an attacking midfielder.
He was included in the nation’s squads that reached the quarter-finals at the 2006 FIFA World Cup. He announced his retirement in August 2021.
7. Maxi Rodriguez
Maximiliano “Maxi” Rodríguez who was born on the 2nd day of January 1981, is an Argentine former footballer. He was commonly used as a winger on both flanks but could also operate as an attacking midfielder. He represented Argentina in 2006, 2010, and 2014 FIFA world cup. On the 27th day of November 2021, Rodríguez confirmed his retirement at the age of 40.
8. Yohan Cabaye
Yohan Cabaye who was born on the 14th day of January 1986, is a French former professional footballer who played as a midfielder. He represented his country in the 2014 FIFA world cup. Yohan Cabaye has retired from professional football after last playing for Saint-Etienne in the 2019-20 season.
9. Vedran Corluka
Vedran Ćorluka who was born on the 5th day of February 1986 is a Croatian football coach and former player who played as a center-back. He is an assistant to Zlatko Dalić in the Croatia national team.
He represented his country in the 2014 and 2018 FIFA World cup. In August 2018, Ćorluka confirmed his retirement from international football.
10. Arjen Robben
Arjen Robben who was born on the 23rd day of January 1984 is a Dutch former professional footballer who played as a winger. He was known for his dribbling skills, speed, ball control, and long-range shots. Robben is regarded as one of the best players of his generation and was often lauded as among the best wingers in the world in his prime. He represented his country in 2006, 2010, and 2014 FIFA World Cups. In the latter, he won the Bronze Ball and was named to the All-Star Team. He announced his retirement from the Professional football team On the 15th day of July 2021.
11. Sami Khedira
Sami Khedira who was born on the 4th day of April 1987 is a German former professional footballer who played as a central midfielder. He has taken part in three FIFA World Cups and was part of the squads which reached the semi-finals at the 2010 FIFA World Cup. He also won the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
He retired at the end of the 2020–21 season.
12. Mario Mandzukic
Mario Mandžukić who was born on the 21st day of May 1986 is a Croatian football coach and a former player who is the assistant coach of the Croatia national team. As a player, he played as a forward and became known for his aggressiveness, defensive contribution, and aerial prowess. He is considered one of the best Croatian players of all time. He participated in the 2014 World Cup, and the 2018 World Cup, reaching the final. After which he retired from international football.
13. Xavi
Xavier Hernández Creus known as Xavi was born on the 25th day of January 1980. He is a Spanish professional football manager and former player who is the manager of the La Liga club Barcelona. Widely considered one of the greatest midfielders of all time, Xavi was renowned for his passing, vision, ball retention, and positioning. He played a vital role in Spain’s victory at the 2010 and 2014 FIFA World Cup, after which he announced his retirement from international football.
These are 13 Great Football players whose names are on the sands of time, but no longer go for the FIFA world cup in the year 2022. However, the list is likely to increase as two of our best players might be playing their last FIFA world cup this year.
