6 Players to Win the World Cup Without Playing a Single Minute at the Tournament, Including Franco Baresi

• There are players who have won the World Cup without playing a single minute of the tournament
• From Baresi to Alphonse Areola, some big stars lifted it then went on to have wonderful careers
• Some players like Germany's Erik Durm won the World Cup, then vanished from the game altogether

As the FIFA World Cup edges closer and closer, managers are finalising their squad lists for when the current international break ends.

Although managers name a big squad with plans for everyone to contribute, some players may not be needed in most matches and thus end up staying on the bench for the entire tournament.

Some legendary players won the World Cup but never actually played a single minute. Here are six players who have won it without playing at all, according to the Mirror.

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Players who've won the World Cup without playing a single minute

Franco Baresi

It is baffling to discover that Baresi never actually played a single minute when Italy won the 1982 World Cup. He earned all of his 81 caps after the Azzuri lifted the trophy that year. He was just 22 during the tournament in Spain.

Angelo Peruzzi

In 2006 the Italians won the World Cup again; this time, Angelo Peruzzi was on the sidelines. Peruzzi was an influential figure for Italy and was their first-choice goalkeeper during Euro 1996.

Raul Albiol

Raul Albiol is still a regular in the Spanish top flight. He was part of Spain's golden generation that won the 2010 World Cup and the 2012 Euros. Unfortunately, he did not play a single minute for Vicente del Bosque's side.

Erik Durm

Durm had a breakout season for Borussia Dortmund before the 2014 World Cup and became one of Germany's youngest players. But unfortunately, he didn't make it to the pitch and would earn just 7 caps for Germany.

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Alphonse Areola

The West Ham goalkeeper was part of France's 2018 World Cup winning squad. However, since Hugo Lloris was captain, it wasn't easy to dislodge the Tottenham Hotspur star from the starting spot.

Adil Rami

Rami was another member of France's 2018 World Cup triumph. The form of Raphael Varane and Samuel Umtiti as a pair made it difficult for Rami to get a sniff in Russia. He earned his 36th and final cap later that year.

Argentina tipped to win the 2022 World Cup

Sports Brief earlier reported on Argentina being tipped to win the 2022 World Cup by a London-based stockbroker.

Argentina last lifted the World Cup in 1986, but came close to winning it again in 2014 before Germany snatched it late in the game.

The Lionel Messi-led side is in Group C of the tournament alongside Saudi Arabia, Mexico, and Poland.