2) Javier Zanetti
Javier Zanetti of Argentina is still considered as one of the greatest wing-backs of all time after making 858 appearances for Inter Milan. He earned a record 143 caps for Argentina from 1994-2011. Although he played the Copa America five times in his career, he was unfortunate to have never won it with his nation.
He is a player who has won everything in his club career, although he could not translate his club success internationally. In the 1995 Copa America, he reached the quarter-finals, but his side was beaten by arch-rivals Brazil in penalties.
He was dealt an even greater heartache when his side was again beaten by Brazil in the quarter-finals of the 1999 Copa America, who went on to win the Copa America that year. In the 2004 Copa America, Argentina managed to beat Colombia in the semi-finals to reach the finals of the Copa America, only to once again lose to Brazil in a penalty shoot-out.
His next Copa America with Argentina in 2007 saw them begin their campaign in sublime fashion, winning the group without losing a single game. They managed to reach the finals after beating Uruguay, but were once again beaten to the title by Brazil, who beat them comfortably by a score of 3-0.
Javier Zanetti’s team had a very average 2011 Copa America after their team was knocked out by eventual champions Uruguay in the quarter-finals in a penalty shoot-out. Such has been Javier Zanetti’s luck with the Argentina National Team that he couldn’t win the Copa America despite numerous semi-final and final appearances.
