📸 The best uncapped XI in world football? | OneFootball

The ultimate honour for any professional footballer is picking up a cap for representing their country.

But for a variety of reasons, not everyone gets that opportunity.

With the international break now here, we’ve had a look at the best current XI yet to pull on their respective international colours.

GK – Oliver Baumann (Germany)

Given that the outstanding Marc-André ter Stegen voiced his concerns about his own lack of international playing time, it isn’t overly surprising that a goalkeeper as good as Baumann has missed out.

RB – Aaron Wan-Bissaka (England)

Competition in his position against Trent Alexander-Arnold is very tough but injury did look to have robbed of him his first cap recently so it is on the horizon.

CB – Aymeric Laporte (France)

This one is part unfortunate and part unlucky. He has a lot of talented competition in his position and when he did seem set to earn him his maiden cap, he was struck down by a meniscus injury.

CB – Jamal Lascelles (England)

There still seems to be uncertainty among the Three Lions squad over who Harry Maguire’s partner should be so it is surprising to us that the Newcastle captain hasn’t at least been given a chance to show what he can do.

LB – Luca Pellegrini (Italy)

His standout displays for Roma saw him earn a big-money move to Juventus during the summer but a loan move to Cagliari means he’ll likely have to wait a little longer for his first Azzurri appearance, having played at underage level.

CM – James Maddison (England)

The Leicester star won’t be on this list much longer and it is only a matter of time before Gareth Southgate gives him the recognition he deserves.

CM – Max Eggestein (Germany)

Admittedly the German midfield isn’t an easy one to break into but the Werder Bremen is too good to go much longer without a cap.

CM – Dani Olmo (Spain)

He is likely hindered by playing in Croatia but the 21-year-old should have been capped before now, having starred at the Under-21 European Championship and netting three goals in his last two games at that level.

RW – Malcom (Brazil)

The talent is definitely there. But Malcom is now 22, has racked up almost €100m in transfer fees, and yet has never represented the Seleção.

ST – Moussa Dembélé (France)

His talent was clear with both Fulham and Celtic but Dembélé has hit the next level since returning home with Lyon, where he hit the 25-goal mark in just 33 starts.

LW – Rodrygo (Brazil)

Another Brazilian who makes the cut as it is a surprise that given his standout displays with Santos and big move to Real Madrid, he is still waiting for international recognition.