Trophies don’t always define greatness, as some of football’s most iconic players have never won a major team trophy either on a club or national team level.
Here’s a countdown of the top 10 best footballers who retired without lifting significant silverware.
10. Matt Le Tissier
Known as one of the most technically gifted English players of his era, Matt Le Tissier remained loyal to Southampton throughout his career. Famous for his long-range goals and unmatched flair, Le Tissier could have won trophies had he moved to a bigger club. Despite his individual brilliance, he retired without a major team honor.
9. Stan Collymore
Stan Collymore was a supremely talented forward who played for some of the Premier League’s biggest clubs, including Liverpool, Aston Villa, and Nottingham Forest. A combination of inconsistency and bad luck meant that despite his incredible natural ability, Collymore never lifted a significant trophy during his career.
8. Yıldıray Baştürk
Yıldıray Baştürk was a key player in Bayer Leverkusen’s infamous 2001-2002 season, where they finished runners-up in the Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal, and Champions League. A creative playmaker with great vision, he never managed to add silverware to his resume despite coming so close in that dramatic season.
7. Johnny Haynes
One of Fulham’s greatest-ever players, Johnny Haynes was the first British-based footballer to earn £100 per week. Haynes’ talent was recognized by his third-place finish in the Ballon d’Or voting and a statue outside Fulham’s Craven Cottage. However, despite his brilliance, he never won a major trophy in his illustrious career.
6. Giuseppe Signori
Giuseppe Signori was one of Serie A’s most prolific strikers in the 1990s, earning three top-scorer titles. A lethal forward with Lazio and Bologna, Signori was known for his powerful left foot and unique penalty-taking style. Despite his accolades and individual achievements, he never won a major trophy in Italy or Europe.
5. Julen Guerrero
Julen Guerrero was a symbol of loyalty, spending his entire career at Athletic Bilbao during an era of Real Madrid and Barcelona dominance in Spanish football. Renowned for his skill and grace on the ball, Guerrero was one of Spain’s most talented players, but his decision to remain at Bilbao meant he never won any major honors.
4. Antonio Di Natale
Antonio Di Natale was a consistent goal-scorer in Serie A, known for his loyalty to Udinese and his technical brilliance. Twice Serie A top scorer, and even winning Italian Footballer of the Year in 2010, Di Natale never claimed a major team trophy. His closest call came when Italy reached the Euro 2012 final, but they lost to Spain.
3. Raúl
Raúl is a legend at Real Madrid, having won multiple Champions League and La Liga titles. However, with Spain, he never captured an international trophy, which seems shocking considering the dominance Spain enjoyed shortly after his international retirement. Raúl was part of the old guard who missed out on Spain’s golden generation.
2. Paolo Maldini
It’s hard to believe that Paolo Maldini, one of the greatest defenders in football history, never won an international trophy with Italy. A five-time Champions League winner with AC Milan and widely considered one of the finest defenders of all time, Maldini’s international career was marked by heartbreak, losing in the 1994 World Cup final and the Euro 2000 final. Despite his unparalleled club success, he never tasted glory on the international stage.
1. Harry Kane
Harry Kane is one of the most prolific strikers in modern football. He’s won numerous individual awards, including Premier League Golden Boots, but despite leading Tottenham to a Champions League final and England to the World Cup and Euro semifinals, Kane has never lifted a major trophy. His move to Bayern Munich in 2023 might change that, but as of now, he remains trophy-less despite top spots among goalscorers.
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