With the World Cup in full swing, we decided to look at the best Leeds United players that have played in the tournament over the years. These are our choices of the best 11 that have represented both club and country.
Starting in goal in a 4-4-2 formation, 1. Nigel Martyn. Regarded as one of the best Leeds goalkeepers ever, played for the club from 1996-2003 racking up 207 appearances. He played for England 23 times over ten years from 1992-2002 and was selected for the England squad at both the 1998 and 2002 FIFA World Cups.
2. Gary Kelly. A fantastic servant of the club that span 15 years from 1992-2007. He appeared 531 times for the Whites scoring 2 goals. He played 52 times for the Republic of Ireland from 1994-2003 and represented them at both the 1994 and 2002 FIFA World Cups.
3. Jack Charlton. With 629 appearances for Leeds that stretched 21 years from 1952-1973, he was a key part of Don Revie’s fantastic side that dominated English football in the ’60s and ’70s. He played 35 games for England and was a part of the 1966 World Cup-winning team.
4. Lucas Radebe. Playing 201 games for Leeds from 1994-2005 he was colossal at the back, nicknamed the ‘chief’. He played 70 games for South Africa scoring 2 goals and representing them at the 1998 and 2002 FIFA World Cups.
5. Terry Cooper. Playing 250 games for the Whites, scoring 7 goals from 1962-1975. He represented England 20 times and featured as the regular first-choice left-back at the Mexico World Cup in 1970.
Should Leeds have had more stars at the 2022 World Cup?Yes, definitely!
No, not good enough
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6. Billy Bremner. Playing 587 times for Leeds scoring 91 goals from 1960-1976. Widely regarded as one of the Whites best players of all time and a player who gave his all for the club. He played for Scotland on 54 occasions scoring three goals and representing them at the 1966 World Cup.
7. Norman Hunter. Starting in the youth academy at Leeds in 1959 his career spanned 726 games for the club until 1976. He scored 18 goals for the Whites and represented England 28 times scoring 2 goals. He was part of the 1966 World Cup winning squad but did not play at the tournament.
8. Peter Lorimer. Playing 450 games for Leeds from 1962-1979 scoring 151 goals, he represented Scotland 21 times scoring 4 goals. He played all three games at the 1974 World Cup for the Tartan Army.
9. Mark Viduka. He played 130 games for Leeds scoring 59 goals over a four-year period from 2000-2004. He represented Australia at the 2006 World Cup. Playing 43 games and scoring 11 goals for the Socceroos.
10. Allan Clarke. With 273 games and 110 goals for the Whites, ‘Sniffer’ Clarke was a real goal scorer. Playing for the club from 1969-1978 and representing England 19 times over a five-year period from 1970-1975 scoring 10 goals. He played in the 1970 World Cup in Mexico.
11. Harry Kewell. An unpopular choice, but for his time at Leeds, he was world-class. Playing 181 games from 1996-2003 with another three years in the academy from 1993-1996, Kewell scored 45 goals for the Whites. He played 58 games for Australia scoring 17 goals, playing at both the 2006 and 2010 FIFA World Cups.
Do you agree with these selections? Let us know in the comments who you would have chosen.
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Tony yeboah and Eric cantona are notable exceptions