With the likes of Andres Iniesta, David Villa and David Silva lining up for the Spanish national team, it should come as no surprise that Premier League stars Mikel Arteta and Jose Enrique don't even get a look in. Club success isn't always a guarantee of international selection, it seems…
MIKEL ARTETA: SPAIN
With Cesc Fabregas, Xabi Alonso, Andres Iniesta, Xavi Hernandez and David Silva just a few of the big name midfielders jostling for a place in Vicente Del Bosque's Spain side, it's no surprise that Mikel Arteta doesn't feel aggrieved. "Six of the top 20 players in the world going for three positions. What can you do?" he said. Since his move to Arsenal, the former Barcelona trainee, Rangers and Everton player has received plaudits for stabilising the Gunners line-up and Arteta hopes this exposure will mean he still has a chance of playing for his country, saying: "I was very close a few times to having the chance to go, but for one reason or another it didn't happen. I'm going to keep fighting though, that's for sure – it's one of my targets and I won't stop going for it because I really want to represent my country." With a long line of exceptionally talented midfielders in front of him, it looks like the 29-year-old, who has represented Spain at every other age group, might never get the chance to play on the senior international stage.
Steve Bruce: ENGLAND
Unbelievably, the former Manchester United captain never received a full international cap. Former England manager Sir Bobby Robson later claimed that not picking the Sunderland gaffer was one of his biggest mistakes, while Jack Charlton contacted Bruce about the possibility of playing for the Republic of Ireland after finding out about a distant relative, but because the stopper had played for England at youth level in a UEFA tournament, he couldn't switch allegiances. Despite being one of the country's finest centre-backs and part of the first of Sir Alex Ferguson's great United teams, that first cap always eluded him.
Carlo Cudicini: ITALY
Due to the dominance of 33-year-old captain Gianluigi Buffon, the Tottenham goalkeeper has been restricted to appearances for Italy at Under-18 and Under-20 level, even during a successful stint as a Chelsea regular. His Italian manager at the Blues, Claudio Ranieri, recommended he look into the possibility of playing for England after living in the country for over a decade, saying: "If I was Carlo, I'd choose England. Italy have two great goalkeepers in Toldo and Buffon and it is difficult to fight with them when you play in another country." At 38, though, his chance has almost certainly gone.
JOSE ENRIQUE: SPAIN
Since his move to Liverpool in the summer, left-back Enrique has emerged as one of Kenny Dalglish's better signings. If the Spain team have one potentially weak link, it is at left-back, but Enrique is yet to receive a nod from Del Bosque. Spanish football expert Guillem Balague told talkSPORT that the emergence of Valencia's Jordi Alba is keeping Enrique out the squad. The 22-year-old Alba actually plays in midfield for Los Che, but is expected to take on the left-back role for the future. Still, some snub for Enrique!
PAOLO DI CANIO: ITALY
In a similar situation to bad-boy du jour Joey Barton, the raw talent of Paolo Di Canio was overlooked at international level because of his behaviour. Di Canio's political stance and actions on and off the pitch, which included pushing Fabio Capello and Giovanni Trapattoni – his managers at Milan and Juventus – not to mention the infamous shove of referee Paul Alcock, all combined to count against the Italian attacker. On missing out on international football, Di Canio says: "There are people who still say to me that, had I been quieter, I could have played for Italy. My answer is this: had I been calmer, I wouldn’t even have made it as a footballer. I give my best when I’m pissed off and when I argue with the entire world." A world without the madness of Paolo Di Canio? No thanks!
BILLY BONDS: ENGLAND
Throughout the 1970s, Billy Bonds shone for West Ham, moving from defence to midfield and becoming Hammers captain, where he twice led them to FA Cup glory in 1975 and 1980. Throughout this time, however, he never received a call-up to the England squad. It was suggested that Sir Alf Ramsey didn't select Bonds, who was also a Cup Winners' Cup runner-up in 1976, because he didn't like the gait of his run, but he was also ignored by the next England boss, Don Revie, despite England's failure to qualify for the 1974 and 1978 World Cups. Bonds did eventually receive a call-up from Ron Greenwood, Revie's successor in 1977, but couldn't make it off the bench for a World Cup qualifier against Italy.