For most, if not all professional footballers, the World Cup is the pinnacle of the game. The joy of lifting the FIFA World Cup Trophy is enjoyed by only 23 players every four years, the successful few to carry their nation to the biggest sporting prize in the world.
But a summer tournament is just a moment in a long career in the game, with many professionals suffering devastating lows to go along with huge highs.
Alphonse Areola was a squad member in France’s victorious 2018 campaign in Russia, but now faces the unwanted prospect of being only the eighth player in history to have both won the World Cup and suffered relegation from the Premier League.
A mixture of well known faces and some less-travelled, we think you’ll remember many of the existing seven.
Juninho Paulista: Brazil 2002 – relegated with Middlesbrough 1996/97
Not all Brazilians shine in Middlesbrough (just ask Afonso Alves), but Juninho most certainly did. One of the most popular figures in Boro’s history, the little wizard dazzled the Premier League for five years over three spells, the first of which ended in relegation due to Boro’s infamous three-point deduction in 1996/97. Juninho featured in five of Brazil’s seven games en route to winning the 2002 World Cup in South Korea and Japan.
Roque Junior: Brazil 2002 – relegated with Leeds United 2003/04
Much less of a household name despite playing every minute of six out of Brazil’s seven games in 2002, defender Roque Junior made seven disastrous appearances on loan to Leeds United in 2003/04. Having won the Champions League with AC Milan in 2002/03, Roque Junior’s next campaign proved rather different as the Lilywhites suffered relegation.
Steven Nzonzi: France 2018 – relegated with Blackburn Rovers 2011/12
One of only two players to have won the World Cup after suffering Premier League relegation, Steven Nzonzi was a standout performer in Blackburn’s dismal 2011/12 campaign. He immediately moved to Stoke City and later Sevilla, where his performances earned a call up to the French national team for whom he was a second-half substitute in the 2018 final.
Florian Thauvin: France 2018 – relegated with Newcastle United 2015/16
Much like Nzonzi, Florian Thauvin went from a limp relegation with Newcastle in 2015/16 to international glory in 2018, though he played just one minute of Les Bleus’ campaign. Thauvin’s goalscoring form for Marseille sandwiched 13 goalless Premier League appearances for Newcastle during which time his most memorable moment came when he turned up to a game wearing a tuxedo.
Victor Valdes: Spain 2010 – relegated with Middlesbrough 2016/17
By far the most curious career path of these six players, Victor Valdes was an unused squad member in Spain’s triumphant 2010 World Cup and a three-time Champions League winning goalkeeper who somehow found himself at newly promoted Middlesbrough in 2016. His only season at the Riverside Stadium ended in relegation and Valdes never played for another professional club.
Erik Durm: Germany 2014 – relegated with Huddersfield Town 2018/19
An unused squad member like Valdes, defender Erik Durm achieved World Cup glory with Germany in 2014. Eyebrows were raised when Huddersfield Town brought Durm to the John Smith’s Stadium, but those eyebrows dropped almost immediately as he was unable to have an impact in the Terriers’ disastrous campaign that resulted in relegation. Durm left the club at the end of the season.
Andre Schurrle: Germany 2014 – relegated with Fulham 2018/19
Schurrle and Durm enjoyed World Cup triumph together in 2014 and both suffered relegation from the Premier League in 2018/19. On loan with the Cottagers from Borussia Dortmund, Schurrle was unable to steer Fulham away from trouble as they joined Huddersfield in the Championship. Schurrle left a huge mark on Germany’s World Cup win, scoring twice in the semi-final thrashing of hosts Brazil before delivering the cross for Mario Gotze to score the winner in the final.
While Alphonse Areola and Fulham still have time to survive and avoid this record, time is running out. Could seven become eight?
