For Ronaldo, the gap is striking because of his longevity. The report says he appeared at five World Cups between 2006 and 2022, with Portugal reaching its best result in 2006, when it advanced to the semi-finals.
His most memorable World Cup performance came against Spain in 2018, when he scored a hat-trick. Yet Portugal never reached the final during his international era.
Eusébio faced a different challenge. Portugal finished third at the 1966 World Cup, with the forward emerging as the tournament’s leading scorer. His influence was immense, but the campaign stopped short of a final.
Cruyff came closer than most. The Dutchman led the Netherlands into the 1974 final, where they lost 2-1 to West Germany. His role in “Total Football” made the tournament one of the clearest examples of individual brilliance shaping a national team without producing the trophy.
Puskás suffered an even more famous reversal. Hungary entered the 1954 final as the outstanding team of its era, only to lose 3-2 to West Germany in the match remembered as the “Miracle of Bern”.
Di Stéfano’s omission was shaped less by defeat than by circumstance. The report attributes his absence from the World Cup to a combination of injuries, nationality questions and qualification problems.
That stands in contrast with his club dominance, including five consecutive European Cups from 1956 to 1960 with Real Madrid. His case is a reminder that international legacy also depends on timing, eligibility and opportunity.
The next World Cup cycle will keep the spotlight on Ronaldo’s unfinished story. If he is involved, one final Portugal campaign could determine whether the most significant omission from his career remains-or finally disappears.