5 legendary footballers who came from obscure nations

The unpredictable nature of football makes this sport the greatest of all. We never know what could happen in the next moment as the sport rarely fails to bring us to the edge of our seats.

There have been innumerable players who have shone through in football from all across the world. However, European players have often stolen the limelight with major leagues, audience and quality of football.

South American players such as Lionel Messi, Kaka, Ronaldo Nazario and Ronaldinho had highly successful careers. But it's not quite often that we see a player from an obscure nation on top of the world.

Presently, we have players like Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Son Heung-min among others from smaller nations making their mark. On that note, let's discuss a few players from relatively small nations who turned out to be legends.

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#5 Park Ji-sung (South Korea)

Park became Manchester United's first-ever Asian captain in 2005

Park Ji-sung was one of Manchester United's most talented and influential foreign players. Apart from being Sir Alex Ferguson's go-to man in clutch moments, Ji-sung also enjoyed the love and support of Manchester United fans.

He became United's first-ever Asian captain when he took the armband from Ryan Giggs in 2005 in the Champions League against Lille.

The South Korea international played seven seasons in the EPL for the Red Devils and featured in 204 games across all competitions, scoring 28 goals. The midfielder remained with the club until 2012 before moving to Queens Park Rangers.

He retired in 2014 after making his mark in European football.

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#4 Yaya Toure (Ivory Coast)

Yaya Toure won the African Footballer of the Year in 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014

Manchester City are now a formidable club that is revered around Europe. The team has endured massive success in the past, and they seem only to be getting better.

The Sky Blues have thrived under manager Pep Guardiola and boast immense team depth presently. However, rival fans and pundits often criticize the Cityzens for lacking legacy or history. Manchester City faces such comments considering its below-par past compared to its high level of success in recent times.

Manchester City's team-building process took a reasonable amount of time and some loyal players. One such name is Yaya Toure. The Ivory Coast international switched to City after playing for Barcelona in the 2009 Champions League and became a club legend.

Toure played as a box-to-box midfielder for City and scored 79 goals off 316 games across all competitions. He won the African Footballer of the Year in 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014. Toure is considered one of the best African and Manchester City players of all time.

#3 George Weah (Liberia)

George Weah was the first, and to date, the only African player to win the Ballon d'Or

George Weah's journey in football is no less than a fairytale. From being born in Liberia to playing in Cameroon and then scouted by Monaco to becoming an AC Milan legend, no one could have projected Weah's path.

Weah was the first and only African player to win the Ballon d'Or and the FIFA World Player of the Year in 1995. Weah was known for his acceleration, dribbling skills and finishing abilities. He is arguably the best non-European player to have never won the UEFA Champions League.

Weah became a lethal force in AC Milan alongside Ronaldo and Romario. His talent and fame earned him the nickname 'King George'. Weah has played for all major clubs, including Monaco, Paris Saint-Germain, AC Milan, Chelsea, Manchester City and Marseille.

The first three clubs were his long-term clubs, whereas the rest happened during the twilight of his career.

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#2 Didier Drogba (Ivory Coast)

Drogba is the all-time top scorer for Ivory Coast

Didier Drogba became a force to be reckoned with during his Chelsea days, scoring 164 goals for the club in all competitions. He is the all-time top scorer for Ivory Coast with 60 goals.

Drogba is lauded as one of the best foreign players in England's top-flight football. Chelsea signed him from Marseille in 2004 making him Marseille's then most-expensive outbound player at £24 million.

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#1 Samuel Eto'o (Cameroon)

Samuel Eto'o is the only player to win back-to-back trebles

Deciding who is better among Samuel Eto'o and Didier Drogba is a debatable topic. However, Eto'o bagged the top spot on our list for his impressive team achievements. He scored 361 goals in club football across all competitions and clubs he played in.

Eto'o is the only player to win back-to-back trebles. After winning the treble with Barcelona in 2009, the Cameroon international switched to Inter Milan as Zlatan Ibrahimovic traveled the other way.

Eto'o took no time to settle in and started delivering instantly. He helped Inter Milan secure Scudetto, the UEFA Champions League and Coppa Italia. Known for his goal scoring exploits and dribbling skills, Eto'o was an absolute poacher in front of goal.

He is also the all-time top scorer in the African Cup of Nations with 18 goals.

This wraps up our list of legendary players from minnow nations. Share with us your top players from obscure nations in the comments section.