Renowned pundit and former England defender Jamie Carragher once named his greatest World Cup XI, with the strict condition that he could only select one player from each country. He was put to the test back in 2022, and although the latest tournament had yet to take place, the Liverpudlian still made some eyebrow-raising omissions.
While the 48-year-old would have been none the wiser that Lionel Messi was just weeks – if not days – away from almost single-handedly guiding Argentina to continental glory, Carragher chose to snub both him and long-time rival Cristiano Ronaldo when selecting his final team, opting for other Argentine and Portuguese stars instead.
The Three Lions, Germany and France are all represented in some form, as are five-time winners Brazil. But as readers discover throughout the Sun’s piece, several other huge names are left out along the way.
Goalkeeper and Defenders
There are four players in Carragher’s final selection that have never won the World Cup, placing them in a rare category of the greatest to have never tasted football’s most prestigious prize. The first of that trio is found between the sticks, with Denmark legend Peter Schmeichel ,who only played at one tournament – reaching the quarter finals in 1998.
In front of him is a back four of titans. 1998 winner Lilian Thuram playing on the right, 1974 champion Franz Beckenbauer partnering 1966 victor Bobby Moore in the heart of defence, and 1994 runner-up Paolo Maldini – perhaps the greatest defender of all time – tidying things up on the left flank.
Beckenbauer is one of just three men to win the World Cup as a player and as a manager – the supreme defender leading West Germany from the dugout in 1990.
Midfielders
To fit every player into his team, Carragher opted to deploy Pele in an attacking midfield role. The Brazilian remains the only player to have won three World Cups, while also being the tournament’s youngest winner and goalscorer. Many still regard him as the greatest World Cup player of all time, with images of him lifting the Jules Rimet Trophy forever etched into football folklore.
Behind him sit two passing maestros capable of orchestrating almost any team, such was the quality of their playmaking during their respective primes. Spain’s Xavi – the ultimate tempo-setter and a World Cup winner in 2010 – takes one of the midfield spots.
GIVEMESPORT takes a look at the greatest footballers to ever play at the World Cup.
Alongside him is his former El Clasico rival, Luka Modric, a World Cup finalist with Croatia in 2018. The ex-Real Madrid star is the only active player in Carragher’s XI, as he prepares to captain his nation this summer at the age of 40.
Forwards
The Portuguese representative is forward Eusebio, who leads the line in a 4-2-3-1 formation for Carragher. The ‘Black Panther’ scored all nine of his World Cup goals as he led his country to the semi-finals in 1966, including four in the stunning comeback win over North Korea – when Portugal won 5-3 from 3-0 down inside 25 minutes.
From Argentina, operating on the right, is none other than Diego Maradona, who led his nation to glory in 1986 – thanks in part to his famous double against England, which included the most controversial goal ever in the shape of the “Hand of God”. But to rate the former Napoli maverick without considering his crazy side would be an injustice.
To complete a fearsome front three is flying Dutchman Johan Cruyff, who played the game like an art form and then taught it in a way where his philosophy is still used today. He led the Netherlands to the final in 1974 with his beautiful brand of total football, but the Oranje fell short by losing to West Germany in the final. See the full team below:
After winning the Premier League, Arsenal are now looking to take their squad to the next level with some star-studded quality on the radar for the summer transfer window.
The Gunners are in the market for a number ten, as recent reports have claimed that Morgan Rogers is a transfer target, having shown plenty of quality in his time playing for Aston Villa and the England national team.
Any move could prove costly, however, meaning that Arsenal and Mikel Arteta could look elsewhere in the market for players who can still bring some attacking quality, but at a different price.
With that in mind, the North London club have seemingly shortlisted another Premier League star, with the Sun reporting interest in the playmaker.
Arsenal Shortlist Morgan Gibbs-White
According to the report from the Sun, Nottingham Forest star Morgan Gibbs-White has emerged as a potential target for Arsenal in the summer transfer window.
It’s claimed that the 26-year-old is viewed as an alternative to Rogers, with there being some admirers over his talent in the backroom team at the Emirates Stadium.
The attacking midfielder was linked with an exit from Nottingham Forest last summer, as he emerged as an option for rivals Tottenham, coming as an alternative to Eberechi Eze after the Gunners swooped to land him.
While the direction of travel indicated that a switch would be on the cards, Gibbs-White instead signed a new contract at the City Ground, extending his stay until 2028.
That led to another impressive season with Nottingham Forest, even with relegation fears creeping into the Premier League campaign, as he became a surprise omission from the England World Cup squad.
With two years remaining on that contract, there is a possibility that Gibbs-White could be on the move this summer, though Forest appear reluctant to allow that to happen.
It remains to be seen whether Arsenal will put forward a compelling offer or not, as Premier League rivals also consider a switch for the talisman.
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Morgan Rogers Vs Morgan Gibbs-White
In Rogers and Gibbs-White, Arsenal have two impressive options who can help break games open more frequently than the team currently does.
Both stars find plenty of goals and assists for their respective teams, finding a way to make the play centre around them to help create and score opportunities.
Player
Appearances
Goals
Assists
Morgan Gibbs-White
53
18
7
Morgan Rogers
55
14
12
Gibbs-White is three years older than Rogers, but is arguably playing in a team that is worse, making his statistics for the season all the more impressive.
What is important for Arsenal is a mixture of age profile, instinctive quality and the dynamics in the squad. The one who ticks the most boxes will be the one who should be on the club’s radar as a priority.
It remains to be seen which of the two they could formalise interest in, but it’s clear that the Gunners have a plan to improve their playmaking abilities.
Former Tottenham midfielder Christian Eriksen suffered another worrying collapse during Denmark’s vacated friendly match vs Ukraine on Sunday evening, with a health update now emerging. Goals from Patrick Dorgu and Joakim Maehle had put the hosts in front at the Nature Energy Park, but proceedings were abandoned before it could be finished.
Providing a health update, citing the Danish national team, Fabrizio Romano wrote on X (see full post below):
“Danish Federation announce Christian Eriksen is ‘conscious and doing well under the circumstances’. Thoughts and prayers with him.”
Meanwhile, a Denmark football news account wrote on X (see the full post below):
“Christian Eriksen is conscious and doing well under the circumstances. The match has been called off.”
Tottenham are closing in on another potential arrival in the summer transfer window, with Italian journalist Nico Schira reporting that an agreement in principle has been reached on personal terms with one target.
While the defensive ranks have been a clear area of focus, the next priority is the forward areas, with an agreement reached for one potential arrival.
Now, Schira has reported via X that an agreement in principle has been reached between Tottenham and Savinho on the terms of a contract that will last until 2031.
The journalist claims that Roberto De Zerbi is keen on the 22-year-old, who has been described as “gifted” for his performances so far with City after costing them £30m.
All that is left is for a club-to-club agreement to be reached, before putting the finishing touches on the contract talks to secure yet another high-profile arrival.
That may get Tottenham closer to where they want to be, adding a player with Premier League quality and potential to grow even further in the future.
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Pep Guardiola On Savinho
Premier League – Aston Villa v Manchester City – Villa Park, Birmingham, Britain – October 26, 2025 Manchester City’s Savinho reacts REUTERS/Hannah Mckay
In Savinho, Tottenham could have an ideal one-on-one winger, who is capable of driving the team forward and making things happen in the final third.
It’s something Spurs have been lacking in recent seasons, not least due to injuries in the forward areas, but the Brazilian forward could provide that in bucket loads.
There are question marks over his end product, having scored just seven goals for Man City since joining the club, but that clinical edge is all that is missing so far.
It was something Pep Guardiola touched on earlier this season, when he said: “What I like from Savinho is always he is digging, go, go, go, all the time.
