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 1. Features




ELITE FOOTBALLERS FROM SMALLER NATIONS

By Ben Hayward
published 20 April 2024

Some of the finest footballers in history have come from smaller nations. Here,
a look at some famous examples...

 * 
 * 
 * 
 * 


Erling Haaland, draped in the Norwegian flag, celebrates with the Champions
League trophy after Manchester City's treble triumph in June 2023. (Image
credit: Getty Images)


Footballers can choose their clubs, but not their countries. Not usually,
anyway.



While some players have changed allegiance at international level, that remains
rare and is only permitted these days if strict criteria are fulfilled.



So while elite footballers can move freely to the club of their choice and
compete for the biggest prizes, many miss out on those opportunities
internationally due to the place of their birth.




Here, a look at some top players to have emerged from smaller nations...

LATEST VIDEOS FROM fourfourtwo Four Four Two




32. ALEXANDER HLEB



Alexander Hleb in action for VfB Stuttgart against Barcelona in March 2010.
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Alexander Hleb's move from Arsenal to Barcelona in 2008 did not really work out,
despite the trophies he went on to win at Camp Nou, and he was never quite the
same player after that.



But the Belarusian midfielder still enjoyed a fine career across many different
European leagues and earned 80 caps for his country, scoring six goals.


31. STEVAN JOVETIC



Stevan Jovetic celebrates after scoring for Montenegro against Romania in 2015.
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Stevan Jovetic has played for the likes of Fiorentina, Manchester City, Inter,
Sevilla and Olympiacos in a long and successful career.


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Policy and are aged 16 or over.

The striker featured for Serbia and Montenegro at Under-17 level, but has
represented Montenegro since the nation's independence in 2006. He was named
Montenegrin Footballer of the Year in 2009 and 2015.


30. GORAN PANDEV



Goran Pandev in action for North Macedonia. (Image credit: Getty)

Goran Pandev played as a forward at Lazio, Inter and Napoli and won the treble
during his time at Milan under Jose Mourinho in 2009/10.

Pandev represented North Macedonia at international level for 20 years between
2001 and 2021 and finished his career as the nation's most-capped player and top
scorer, with 122 appearances and 38 goals.


29. JOSE LUIS CHILAVERT



Jose Luis Chilavert in action for Paraguay against France at the 1998 World Cup.
(Image credit: Getty Images)

At his peak, Jose Luis Chilavert was considered one of the greatest goalkeepers
in the world and he was hugely successful in Argentina, winning four
championships, the Copa Libertadores and the Intercontinental Cup with Velez
Sarsfield in the 1990s.

Chilavert often took free-kicks and penalties and scored over 50 goals in his
club career, plus eight internationally with Paraguay. He was named World
Goalkeeper of the Year on three occasions by the International Federation of
Football History & Statistics (IFFHS).


28. TEOFILO CUBILLAS



Teofilo Cubillas in action for Peru. (Image credit: Getty Images)

Teofilo Cubillas played as an attacking midfielder for Alianza Lima in his
homeland and also had a three-year spell at Porto. He is widely considered to be
Peru's best-ever player.

Cubillas helped Peru win the Copa America in 1972 and was instrumental as the
South Americans reached the World Cup quarter-finals in 1970 and 1978.


27. KEYLOR NAVAS



Keylor Navas in action for Real Madrid against Atletico in the Champions League
semi-finals in 2017. (Image credit: Getty Images)

Keylor Navas seemed to save his best for the big moments at Real Madrid and the
Costa Rican earned hero status at the Santiago Bernabeu as he helped Los Blancos
to three Champions League crowns in a row between 2016 and 2018.

Navas, who has also played for Paris Saint-Germain, Levante and Nottingham
Forest, has won over 100 international caps and was instrumental as Costa Rica
reached the quarter-finals of the 2014 World Cup.


26. EDIN DZEKO



 Bosnia Herzegovina striker Edin Dzeko in action against Portugal in June 2023.
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Edin Dzeko has played for Manchester City, Roma, Inter, Wolfsburg and Fenerbahce
in a long career, scoring over 350 goals along the way at club level.

Dzeko was born in Sarajevo and is Bosnia Herzegovina's most famous footballer,
as well as the nation's all-time top scorer since its independence in 1992 after
the breakup of Yugoslavia.


25. EIDUR GUDJOHNSEN



Eidur Gudjohnsen applauds Iceland fans after his side's game against Hungary at
Euro 2016. (Image credit: Getty Images)

Best known for spells at Chelsea and Barcelona, Eidur Gudjohnsen was one of the
best forward players in Europe for much of the 2000s.

Born in Iceland, Gudjohnsen won 88 caps for the nation and scored 26 goals in a
20-year international career which concluded after two appearances as a
substitute at Euro 2016.


24. NEMANJA VIDIC



Nemanja Vidic in action for Serbia against Ghana at the 2010 World Cup. (Image
credit: Getty Images)

Nemanja Vidic was one of the best central defenders of his generation and won
five Premier League titles and a Champions League crown in a highly successful
eight-year spell at Manchester United between 2006 and 2014.

Vidic is Serbian and the centre-back won 56 caps combined for Yugoslavia, Serbia
and Montenegro and Serbia between 2002 and 2011.


23. EMMANUEL ADEBAYOR



Emmanuel Adebayor in action for Togo against Algeria at the Africa Cup of
Nations in January 2013. (Image credit: Getty Images)

Emmanuel Adebayor played for some of the biggest clubs in the world in a
colourful and sometimes controversial career – including Arsenal, Manchester
City, Real Madrid and Tottenham.

Also a Champions League runner-up with Monaco, Adebayor represented Togo at
international level and won 87 caps for his country, scoring 23 goals. He was
named African Player of the Year in 2008.


22. RYAN GIGGS



Ryan Giggs with Wales in 1993. (Image credit: Getty Images)

Ryan Giggs made an incredible 963 appearances for Manchester United in an
impressive club career spanning 23 years between 1991 and 2014.

But the winger sometimes seemed less interested in playing for Wales. Giggs won
64 caps for his country, but missed 18 friendlies in a row earlier in his career
and retired from international duty in 2007, having never represented his nation
at a major tournament.


21. JORGE ALBERTO GONZALEZ



Jorge Alberto "Magico" Gonzalez. (Image credit: Alamy)

Born in El Salvador, Jorge Alberto González is best remembered for his two
spells at Cadiz in the 1980s and early 1990s.

Known as "El Mágico" or "Mágico González", the forward possessed wonderful
skills but was less interested in discipline or training. Diego Maradona once
described him as "one of the 10 best players" he had seen. González won 62 caps
for El Salvador and scored 21 goals in an international career spanning over two
decades.


20. JAN OBLAK



Jan Oblak in action for Atletico Madrid in the Champions League against Club
Brugge in 2018. (Image credit: Getty Images)

Slovenia may not be a hotbed for football talent, but the tiny central European
nation has produced two world-class goalkeepers in recent years: Jan Oblak and
Samir Handanovic.

Eyebrows were raised when Atletico Madrid paid €16 million to Benfica for Oblak
in 2014, but the Slovenian went on to establish himself as one of the best
goalkeepers in the world over the next decade.


19. PAULINO ALCANTARA



An image of Barcelona's legendary forward Paulino Alcantara, who played for the
Catalan club between 1918 and 1927. (Image credit: Alamy)

Paulino Alcantara is Barcelona's second-highest scorer behind Lionel Messi,
having hit 369 goals for the Catalan club between 1918 and 1927, although many
of those came in friendlies.

Alcantara was born in the Philippines and represented the south-east Asian
country at international level. He also played for both Catalonia and Spain
during his time at Barça. Following his retirement from football, he became a
doctor.


18. FREDERIC KANOUTE



Frederic Kanoute reacts after missing a chance for Mali against Benin at the
2008 Africa Cup of Nations. (Image credit: Getty Images)

Frederic Kanoute helped Sevilla to two UEFA Cups and two Copas del Rey in a
hugely successful spell at the Andalusian club between 2005 and 2012.

The former West Ham and Tottenham striker was born in France and represented Les
Bleus at Under-21 level, but opted to play for Mali in 2004 after a lack of
opportunities with the country of his birth. He scored 23 goals in 38 games for
The Eagles.


17. MAREK HAMSIK



Marek Hamsik in action for Slovakia against Sweden in June 2021. (Image credit:
Getty Images)

Marek Hamsik was an idol at Napoli in 12 years at the Italian club and went on
to make over 400 appearances in Serie A during that time.

Named Slovakian Footballer of the Year on eight occasions and runner-up twice,
Hamsik has won well over 100 caps for his country and is considered the nation's
best-ever player.


16. DAVID ALABA



David Alaba in action for Austria against Germany in November 2023. (Image
credit: Getty Images)

David Alaba is comfortable in central defence, at full-back or in midfield,
making him one of the most versatile players of his generation.

Alaba spent 11 successful years at Bayern Munich before joining Real Madrid in
2021. At international level, he has won over 100 caps for Austria. By 2023, he
had been named Austrian Player of the Year 10 times and is considered his
nation's best ever.


15. ALPHONSO DAVIES



Alphonso Davies celebrates a goal for Canada against Jamaica in November 2023.
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Alphonso Davies emerged at Bayern Munich in the late 2010s as one of the most
exciting young players in world football.

Davies hails from a big country geographically but a small nation in football
terms: Canada. The left-back, who was born in Ghana, is his nation's star player
and was a key part of the team which qualified for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.


14. DWIGHT YORKE



Trinidad and Tobago forward Dwight Yorke signs autographs for fans during a
training session at the 2006 World Cup in Germany. (Image credit: Getty Images)

Dwight Yorke enjoyed a successful career in the Premier League, most notably
with Aston Villa and Manchester United, and won the treble with Sir Alex
Ferguson's side in 1998/99.

Yorke earned 72 caps for Trinidad and Tobago in a 20-year international career
and captained the team at the 2006 World Cup. He scored 19 goals for his
country.


13. JARI LITMANEN



Jari Litmanen in action for Finland. (Image credit: Getty Images)

How many Finnish footballers can you think of? Probably not too many. But there
is one who is much more famous than all the others: Jari Litmanen.

One of the finest forwards of his generation, Litmanen won the Champions League
in a memorable spell at Ajax. He later played for Barcelona and Liverpool and
won 137 caps for Finland, playing in four different decades for his national
team.


12. HENRIKH MKHITARYAN



Henrikh Mkhitaryan in action for Inter against Empoli in April 2024. (Image
credit: Getty Images)

Since starting his career at Pyunik in his homeland, Henrikh Mkhitaryan has gone
on to play for some huge clubs across Europe – most notably Borussia Dortmund,
Arsenal, Manchester United, Roma and Inter.

Mkhitaryan was born in and plays internationally for Armenia and is the most
famous footballer from the former Soviet nation, which has a population of just
over three million people.


11. PIERRE-EMERICK AUBAMEYANG



Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang reacts after scoring a penalty for Gabon against
Burkina Faso at the Africa Cup of Nations in January 2017. (Image credit: Getty
Images)

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has played for some of Europe's elite clubs in an
impressive career – including Borussia Dortmund, Arsenal, Barcelona and Chelsea.

Born in France, the striker turned out for Les Bleus at Under-21 level, but
opted to represent Gabon and is easily the nation's most famous footballer. His
father, Pierre Aubameyang, was also a top player for the Central African nation.


10. GEORGI KINKLADZE



Georgi Kinkladze at Manchester City. (Image credit: Getty)

Best remembered for a wonder goal against Southampton, Georgi Kinkladze was a
cult hero at Manchester City in the mid-1990s and later returned to the Premier
League with Derby County.

Kinkladze won 54 caps for Georgia at international level, but never got to
feature in a major tournament with his country, which has a population of under
four million.


9. ROBERT LEWANDOWSKI



(Image credit: Getty Images)

Robert Lewandowski is a legend at Bayern Munich, where he scored 344 goals
across eight seasons, and one of the finest forwards of his generation.

Poland's greatest-ever player and all-time top scorer, Lewandowski featured for
his country at the 2018 and 2022 World Cups. He is also the first Polish player
in history to score in three successive European Championships.


8. GHEORGE HAGI



(Image credit: Getty Images)

Gheorge Hagi was one of the most exciting attacking players of the 1990s and
helped Romania reach the knockout stages of the 1990, 1994 and 1998 World Cups.

Named Romanian Footballer of the Year on seven occasions, Hagi played for both
Barcelona and Real Madrid and finished his career with a successful five-year
spell at Galatasaray.


7. RIYAD MAHREZ



Riyad Mahrez in action for Algeria against Burkina Faso at the Africa Cup of
Nations in January 2024. (Image credit: Getty Images)

One of the great modern-day wingers, Riyad Mahrez won the Premier League at
Leicester City and then added a string of silverware in a five-year spell at
Manchester City, which culminated with the treble in 2022/23.

Mahrez helped Algeria – a smaller nation in football terms despite its large
population of over 45 million – win the Africa Cup of Nations for only the
second time in their history in 2019 and featured with the Greens at the 2022
World Cup.


6. HRISTO STOICHKOV



Bulgaria's Hristo Stoichkov at the 1994 World Cup. (Image credit: Getty Images)

Hristo Stoichkov was a key member of Johan Cruyff's Dream Team at Barcelona,
which won four La Liga titles in a row and also the European Cup in the early
1990s.

At international level, he led unfancied Bulgaria to the semi-finals of the 1994
World Cup and shared the Golden Boot with Russia's Oleg Salenko after scoring
six goals in the tournament. He also won the Ballon d'Or in 1994.


5. GARETH BALE



Gareth Bale celebrates after scoring for Wales at the 2022 World Cup. (Image
credit: Getty Images)

Gareth Bale left Real Madrid in the summer of 2022 as a five-time Champions
League winner and scored over 100 goals for Los Blancos.

With Wales, he was the leader for much of his career and at his peak, helped the
Dragons reach the semi-finals of Euro 2016. He also led his nation to only their
second-ever World Cup in 2022.


4. LUKA MODRIC



Croatia's Luka Modric gestures during the 2018 World Cup final against France.
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Luka Modric has won it all at club level for Real Madrid in a glorious era and
will go down as one of the Spanish side's greatest ever after over a decade
spent at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Modric was the standout player from an exciting generation of Croatian players
and helped his nation to the World Cup final in 2018. And for a country with a
population of under four million, that is a huge achievement. The midfielder
also won the Golden Ball for the World Cup's best player at Russia 2018 and the
Ballon d'Or later that year.


3. ERLING HAALAND



Erling Haaland celebrates a goal for Norway against Cyprus in October 2023.
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Erling Haaland may have won a treble with Manchester City, but trophies at
international level will be harder to come by for the prolific striker.

Consistently ranked outside the top 40 teams in the world in recent years,
Norway will be targeting qualification for major tournaments with the likes of
Haaland and Martin Odegaard in their ranks, but silverware still seems a long
shot.


2. GEORGE WEAH



George Weah at AC Milan. (Image credit: Alamy)

George Weah is considered one of the greatest African footballers of all time
and the former AC Milan and Paris Saint-Germain forward won the Ballon d'Or in
1995.

Born in Liberia, Weah was the only famous footballer of his generation from the
nation. He won 75 caps for Liberia and scored 18 goals, finishing as runner-up
in the West African Cup in 1987. Later, he became Liberia's president.


1. GEORGE BEST



George Best at Manchester United. (Image credit: Getty Images)

George Best is a Manchester United legend and despite declining in his later
years due to alcoholism, the Belfast-born forward is one of the club's best-ever
players.

Best played 37 times for Northern Ireland, scoring nine goals, but never
featured in a major tournament for his country. He was considered for the 1982
World Cup, but was 36 years old by then with his best years well behind him.



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Ben Hayward
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Weekend editor

Ben Hayward is the Weekend Editor of FourFourTwo. A European football writer and
Tottenham Hotspur fan with over 15 years’ experience, he has covered games all
over the world - including three World Cups, several Champions League finals,
Euros, Copa America - and has spent much of that time in Spain. Ben speaks
English and Spanish, currently dividing his time between Barcelona and London,
covering all the big talking points of the weekend on FFT: he’s also written
several list features and interviewed Guglielmo Vicario for the magazine.

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