A World Cup Without Messi and Ronaldo?

Next year’s World Cup is ominously in danger of missing the talents of two of the world’s best players; Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. With two qualifiers remaining, both Argentina and Portugal face an uphill struggle to book their spots at South Africa’s summer showpiece.

Argentina sits precariously in 5th place in the South American group. While the top four placed teams are granted automatic qualification, the 5th place side faces a crunch two-leg playoff against the 4th placed nation in the North, Central America and Caribbean group. Sure, if it comes to it, Costa Rica aren’t the hardest nut to crack but first Maradona’s men need to cement that 5th spot. The two-time World Cup champions’ final qualifier in October, against direct competitors Uruguay, will decide Lionel Messi’s presence in South Africa.

Over in Europe, Portugal have made an equally impressive hash of things. 5 points adrift from top spot and automatic qualification and 2 points back from 2^nd place and a play-off birth, Portugal head into their final two fixtures with back-to-back wins standing between Ronaldo and World Cup wilderness.

If Ronaldo and Messi do miss their moment of global glory, they’ve always got next time. Spare a thought for the best of the best that sadly ran out of next times:

George Weah – Liberia’s decision to withdraw from the qualifiers in 1994 prevented the European Player of the Year and FIFA Player of the Year from showing off his talents. Two other failed qualification campaigns prevented Weah from ever testing his talents at the very top table.

George Weah - Missing the other gold trophy.

George Best – Another born to represent a country that could never qualify for the finals. The 1968 World Player of the Year took Europe by storm with Man United but Northern Ireland’s miserable qualifying record restricted ‘Georgie’ from showcasing his skills in ’66 and ’70.

George Best - Left international football empty handed.

Alfredo di Stefano –  Born in Buenos Aires, the Blond Arrow represented three nations during his illustrious career and still couldn’t book a table at the Finals. In 1950, Argentina refused to participate, thwarting di Stefano’s first chance. In 1954, Argentina did not enter the qualifiers and di Stefano was deemed ineligible having played for both Colombia and Argentina. And in 1962, the newly naturalized Spaniard picked up a muscle injury just before the tournament kicked-off.

Alfredo di Stefano - Would swap Europe for the World.