In this, our concluding part of our series on criminally underrated footballers, we look at two more that should have been global superstars!
Davor Šuker
Davor Šuker, like other fantastically talented players, could do things on a football pitch that other players are not capable of. His deft touch and the ability to judge the power and placement of his strikes to perfection were what allowed him to score incredible goals. As arguably the greatest Croatian footballer ever, Šuker guided the national team to third place in the 1998 World Cup. He was also the top scorer in the same competition. In all, Šuker managed 45 goals in 69 appearances for Croatia and 203 goals in 448 games during his club career. He won a European Cup and a league title with Real Madrid.
Like Bulgaria’s Hristo Stoichkov, the Croatian hitman would still be a household name had he had the fortune to have been born in a traditionally strong football nation like Italy, Germany, or Brazil!
Matthias Sammer
While Lothar Matthäus is regarded as the successor to Beckenbauer, people often forget about Matthias Sammer. This sweeper and defensive midfielder guided Germany to the 1996 European Championships and was named the best player of the tournament. As an exceptional strategist, ball-winner, and leader, Sammer could pick up the tempo when required and propel his team to victory. However, Matthäus appears to be more well remembered because of his 1990 World Cup triumph, despite the fact that many people consider Sammer to have been the better player.
As well as the 1996 Euro’s, Sammer guided an unfancied Borussia Dortmund team to the 1997 European Cup. He also won two league titles, but his career was unfortunately cut short by injury.
