Top Footballers who were Poor at International Level

Bwuk

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Lampard/Gerrard

In fact pretty much all of that golden generation.
 

RORY65

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Del Piero and Totti weren't poor from what I saw but never seemed to have the impact that they had for their clubs, Del Piero in particular missed a couple of key chances in the Euro 2000 final so it was nice that he had his moment in the 2006 semi-final (even if it was the 2nd goal rather than the winner).
 

Dumbstar

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For the vast chasm between domestic and international form the hands down winner has to be Messi.
 

Red Stone

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Higuain. Been a top level striker in Europe for about a decade with some exceptional seasons under his belt in Italy. His international career has been defined by his constant choking in the most important games, despite a good scoring record in less important matches.
 

Chipper

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Del Piero and Totti weren't poor from what I saw but never seemed to have the impact that they had for their clubs, Del Piero in particular missed a couple of key chances in the Euro 2000 final so it was nice that he had his moment in the 2006 semi-final (even if it was the 2nd goal rather than the winner).
You can extend that to all Italian forwards in the last 40 years. The top scorer is still Riva with 35 when just about all countries have their record holder in relatively recent times as teams play more internationals now. It's an unusually low number for a record scorer.

Ok, there's been some stiff competition for a place in the side with some really good players perhaps keeping each other out at times but nobody ever has really shone in front of goal in my lifetime on a consistent basis for the Azzurri. If someone was really banging them in they'd have stayed in the team. Baggio's strike rate of 27 in 56 was excellent in his position so I'm not going say he was poor, but still it's not a legendary number of goals. Not his fault of course, as he had quite injuries here and there.

Edit: A few number 10's in the list, but I'm thinking payers like Vialli, Ravanelli, Inzaghi, Gilardino, Mancini, Zola, Vieri, Toni, Di Natale, Cassano as well as the aforementioned Totti and Del Piero . Peter crouch scored more for England than most of those did for Italy.
 
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crossy1686

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You could make a case for any of the England internationals over the last 20 years, barring a few who always performed. But then again, there were managers who tried to play Paul Scholes out on the left so you can hardly blame the players. That says everything you need to know about the state of English managers unfortunately.
 

MAME DIOUF 32

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Can only remember one of Le Tissier's 8 caps. It was against Italy and he did absolutely nothing.
 

Blackwidow

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well, your Makaay was top striker for me, yet he had very underwhelming NT career.
International does not just mean national team - the national team does not always fit the player's strengths. The 29 goals in 61 matches in the Champions League aren't that bad.

But if you mean international level with national team career - then yes, somebody can be a top player but not very successful in the national team. There is others that are good in their national team and do not have a great club career, too.

I took international as international matches both for club and country.