Which players have won the FIFA World Cup without playing a single minute?

The Jules Rimet trophy is the most prized title in World Football.

Other than Olympics, FIFA World Cup is the most followed major event in the sporting world. Even countries not part of the tournament follow this tournament passionately. Winning this most prestigious tournament is the ultimate dream for any footballer. From qualification to the finals of this tournament everyone dreams of representing their country in this big event. In FIFA World Cup 2022 final France and Argentina will face off against each other for the glory. France winning in 2018 will be looking for their successive title, while Argentina will be looking to give a fitting sendoff to the glorious career of Lionel Messi.

The final between Argentina & France will be a battle between two-star players too. Lionel Messi & Kylian Mbappe will also be facing off against each other for the Golden Boot award. Both strikers have scored 5 goals in 6 games. Everyone included in the squad looks for an opportunity to get a game and show their talent on the big stage. Few play an important role to write history, few fail, while few get to taste the win without even entering the field. There are names that might surprise everyone on the list.

Franco Armani and Gerónimo Rulli (2022)

Argentina won the FIFA World Cup 2022. The two Argentian backup goalkeepers failed to get a single minute in the Qatar World Cup. But both the goalkeepers go home with the FIFA World Cup 2022 trophy.

Ronaldo (1994)

Fans most favourite and rated as among the best striker in the world Young Ronaldo in the 1994 edition did not get the opportunity to play any minute. Brazil after beating Italy became the World Cup champion. 17-year-old Ronaldo who just made it to the Brazilian World Cup squad could not get the opportunity to play, yet he became the World Cup champion.

Adil Rami (2018)

Not long ago, in the 2018 edition, Adil Rami for France got his hands on the trophy without entering the field for even a single minute. The 32-year-old French centre-back Adil Rami was viral in 2018 for his moustache yet he could not impress Didier Deschamps with an opportunity. France won the tournament by defeating Croatia convincingly by 4-2.

Dida (2002)

Nelson de Jesus Silva aka Dida was in reserve for Brazil in the 2002 edition.  1994, 98 & 2022 Brazil played three FIFA World Cup finals and ended up winning twice. Dida in the entire World Cup could not get an opportunity to show his skills in the tournament.

Pepe Reina (2010)

Dida is not the only goalkeeper to make it in this elite list. In 2010 when Spain won their first-ever World Cup their reserve Goalkeeper Pepe Reina enter the list. Iker Casillas was the undisputed first choice as keeper for Spain and in that era, for Pepe, it was very difficult for him to make it in playing eleven.

Franco Baresi (1982)

This legendary defender was part of the World Cup-winning Italian squad in the 1982 edition. Barresi 82 entered the Italian squad for the first time.  ­­­22 year old Barresi 82' did not enter the field and from then to his retirement, Italy could not win the championship. Franco Barresi is known for his magnificent defensive game.

Erik Durm (2014)

German full-back Erik Durm 2014 was part of the German squad. Durm has played only 7 games for Germany. First time after 1990 Germans celebrated the FIFA World Cup victory. Eric Durm was not used as a sub in the entire 2014 edition for Germany. Germany defeated Argentina in World Cup 2014 final.

Pepe (1958 & 1962)

Pepe in 1958 & 62 World Cup victories for Brazil got the best place to watch the entire tournament, on the bench. This was Pele’s era and Brazil won the trophy back to back in 1958 and 1962. In both these tournaments, Pepe was a member of the squad but did not get to play any game. Pepe as a striker had a glorious international career.

Daniel Passarella (1986)

World Cup 1978 champion captain Daniel Passarella's illness could not play a single game in the entire World Cup 1986. This tournament will always be remembered for Diego Maradona and Argentina’s victory. Passarella did not a had great relationship with Maradona during the World Cup.