Football: Not good enough

Becoming a full-fledged international has always been regarded as the ultimate achievement for a footballer.

However, some fabulous players have never graced the biggest stage. Here are our columnist's top 10 non-internationals.

1. PAOLO DI CANIO

The controversial Italian may be a managerial charlatan according to Republic of Ireland boss Martin O'Neill, but there's no denying his credentials as a player. Ask fans of Celtic, Sheffield Wednesday or West Ham to name their finest player from the past two decades and a massive percentage are likely to plump for the troubled genius.

However, his career was always tainted by controversy, whether it was flooring referees or making Fascist salutes.

Maybe this and the fact that he spent the majority of his career outside of Italy, hindered his chances of representing the Azzurri.

2. STEVE BRUCE

Former England boss Sir Bobby Robson once admitted to Steve Bruce that he should have handed him a call-up to the national team during his tenure from 1982 to 1990.

However, belated praise was of little consolation to the former Manchester United skipper.

Bruce's top-flight career with Norwich began in ignominious fashion when he scored an own goal in the first minute of his debut against Liverpool in 1984.

However, he went on to become one of the finest defenders in the Premier League over the next decade, winning a raft of domestic and European honours for Manchester United.

In 1987, Bruce did captain the England B team against Malta, but it remained his only appearance in international colours.

3. MIKEL ARTETA

Truth is, if Arteta had been born anywhere but Spain, he would almost certainly be an international footballer. However, when you're up against a golden generation of Spanish midfielders that includes Xavi Hernandez, Andres Iniesta and Cesc Fabregas, it's understandably difficult to catch the manager's eye.

In an interview before the start of the current campaign, Arteta (right) admitted: "I've got to be realistic. I'm 31 and, if I've not been called up by now, I can't see it happening.

"Spain have got the best midfield in Europe. The intention and illusion remain to play for my country, but the reality is that my chances of joining the national team are very, very low."

Arteta did receive a call-up back in 2009, but ruptured knee ligaments before the squad even got together.

4. JOSE ENRIQUE

Although Jose Enrique is still only 27, it would appear as though the talented Spanish defender has missed the boat as far as international football is concerned.

Spain's current left back is Barcelona's youthful Jordi Alba, who could conceivably hold that position for the next decade.

Mind you, Arsenal's Nacho Monreal, who is the same age as Enrique, has somehow amassed 14 caps for the current World Cup and European champions despite being unable to displace Kieran Gibbs in the Gunners' line-up.

So maybe there is still hope for a player who has been a consistent performer during his 200-plus senior games for Newcastle and Liverpool. Just maybe.

5. DARIO HUBNER

English football aficionados may remember Andrea Silenzi, who, during his time at Nottingham Forest in the 1990s, came to be regarded as one of the worst foreign imports of all time.

However, Silenzi was somehow capped by the Italian national team in a friendly in Naples in 1994, which makes it even more unbelievable that Dario Hubner was overlooked during that very same era.

Nicknamed "The Bison", Hubner was an uncompromising, physical centre forward - which came in handy in the rough and tumble of Serie A.

But, despite scoring regularly in Italy's top two divisions for the best part of 20 years, he failed to attract the attention of the international manager.

6. KEVIN NOLAN

The West Ham skipper has scored more than 100 goals during a stellar career for Bolton, Newcastle and the Hammers - the majority of them in the Premier League.

However, the nearest the attacking midfielder ever came to full international honours was a brace of appearances for the Under-21s a decade ago.

When you consider that Nolan has been leapfrogged in the selection process by the likes of Seth Johnson, David Bentley and Alan Smith, then you can understand his frustration.

At the start of this season, he told the BBC: "I think I have deserved a call. When I see the people who have got caps, I think I should have had a few."

7. SYLVAIN DISTIN

The elegant Everton defender's spat with his own fans following the goalless draw against Crystal Palace last weekend may have stemmed from the fact that the 35-year-old has never been recognised at international level by France.

Well, maybe not.

Although the players who occupied the defensive berths during Distin's prime were genuine world stars like William Gallas, Lilian Thuram and Marcel Desailly, it seems incredulous that successive national team bosses failed to even take a look at a player who has played more outfield EPL games than any other foreigner.

Distin was approached to play in the 2011 Gold Cup by Guadeloupe as his father was born there, but he declined as it interfered with his pre-season schedule at Everton.

Do you want an international cap or not, Sylvain?

8. DALIAN ATKINSON

For a six-year period between 1989 and 1995, Dalian Atkinson was one of the very best strikers in the business.

A gifted footballer with pace, strength and a ruthless eye for goal, it's barely believable that he wasn't given the opportunity to prove his worth on the biggest stage.

Having said that, Atkinson's peak period came under the management of a certain Graham Taylor, whose England selections were perpetually baffling.

Geoff Thomas anyone?

Atkinson scored goals for fun at Ipswich, Sheffield Wednesday and Real Sociedad, before enjoying his most successful spell under namesake Ron at Aston Villa.

Atkinson was on target as Villa beat Manchester United in the 1994 League Cup final, which cemented his legendary status at Villa Park.

9. STEFAN KLOS

At the turn of the millennium, the German goalkeeper was receiving a rather hefty £8 million ($16m)-a-year pay packet at Scottish giants Rangers, which, at the time, was on a par with a certain David Beckham.

However, despite the ridiculous remuneration, Klos was unable to dislodge the likes of Jens Lehmann, Oliver Khan or Andreas Kopke from the German national team.

Klos settled for success at club level, where he won four league titles and three Scottish Cups with Rangers, and a Champions League crown and two Bundesliga titles with Borussia Dortmund.

10. DOMENICO MORFEO

Some consider Morfeo to be one of the finest talents Italy has ever produced.

However, despite once commanding a transfer fee of 15m euros ($25m) when he moved from Atalanta to Fiorentina, the nearest Morfeo got to the Italian national team was a few appearances for the U-21s, with whom he won the 1996 European Championship.

At club level, the attacking midfielder, who was famed for his technical ability and dribbling skills, scored 54 goals in 282 appearances for Atalanta, Fiorentina, Cagliari, Verona, Inter Milan, Parma and AC Milan, with whom he collected the Serie A title in 1998-99.

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