Five players you totally forgot won the World Cup – from Kaka to Arsenal flop
For the latest from the pitch sign up for our football newsletter
We have more newsletters
Lionel Messi has dominated headlines ever since he dragged Argentina to their first World Cup win in 36 years – and his first time getting his hands on the World Cup trophy.
However, for each iconic image of the team's star player holding the World Cup trophy aloft, there is a forgotten winner too. And in recent years there has been a number of players football fans still can't believe got to win football's biggest prize.
From Arsenal flops to Stoke City icons, Daily Star Sport looks at five players you completely forgot once conquered the world.
READ MORE: Ex-Miss Croatia strips down to jaw-dropping tight underwear before bed
Steven Nzonzi – France (2018)
Steven Nzonzi spent three years on the Trent with Stoke between 2012 and 2015 – and even the most diehard of Stoke fans wouldn't have believed he would win the World Cup.
After leaving England, Nzonzi hit a golden vein of form that saw him as one of the standouts of a Sevilla side. As a result, Nzonzi muscled his way into a French side that was one of the most affluent on the planet.
Nzonzi has five World Cup caps to his name, including a 35-minute cameo in the final against Croatia; he even played a full 90 minutes against Denmark in the group stage.
Do you remember any of these winning the World Cup? Let us know in the comments section below
Shkodran Mustafi – Germany (2014)
Shkodran Mustafi hardly set the world alight in Brazil, nor was he an integral member of Germany's side.
However, his performances did capture the attention of Valencia, who, shortly after the tournament, acquired the services of Mustafi: who had been playing for Sampdoria. The German impressed in Spain – earning him a move to Arsenal to the tune of £35 million.
Mustafi struggled to recapture his La Liga form in the Premier League, and he left the Emirates in 2021.
Juan Mata – Spain (2010)
Before Juan Mata rocked up at Stamford Bridge, arguably becoming one of the Premier League's top talent, and then falling off a cliff at Manchester United in the mid-2010s, he won the World Cup.
Mata made one appearance as Spain's tiki-taka ruled the world in South Africa, a 20-minute cameo against Honduras in the group stage. However, such was Spain's wealth of talent, Mata would only make one appearance four years later too.
These days, the 34-year-old is still playing in Turkey having left Old Trafford over the summer.
Kaka – Brazil (2002)
It seems almost unfair to have Kaka on this list, but the then young Brazilian was part of the Selecao's 2002 World Cup winning squad.
Luiz Felipe Scolari handed Kaka his brazil debut in January 2002, and six months later he was with the Selecao in the Land of the Rising Sun. Kaka was only used in Brazil's 5-2 win over Costa Rica in their final group-stage clash.
It looked like it would be the first of many for Kaka as he went on to claim the Ballon d'Or soon after, but Kaka would only go on to play in two more World Cups, falling out of favour for the 2014 home tournament.
Kleberson – Brazil (2002)
Like Kaka, Kleberson was included in Brazil's 2002 World Cup with an eye for the future.
However, again like Kaka, after being handed his chance against Costa Rica, Kleberson soon became a main feature of the Brazilian side, he even notched an assist in the final. A move to United beckoned, but he's best remembered for being unveiled alongside Cristiano Ronaldo.
The Brazilian struggled at the Red Devils, and he left in 2005, starting a journeyman career that ended in 2017.
READ NEXT:
Crazy Argentina fans jump on bus during World Cup parade as stars are airlifted to safety
Argentina World Cup stars airlifted away from celebrations as jubilant fans pack streets
Piers Morgan responds after 'police called in false alarm to his house at World Cup final'
- World Cup
- Arsenal FC
- Stoke City FC
- Premier League
Source: Read Full Article