New Addition: Short International Careers, Part one

Another new feature that I will be starting on this blog is about players who had very short international careers

1- William Prunier

The defender from Auxerre was selected in Gerard Houiller’s first match as France Manager in a Friendly vs. Brazil on August 26, 1992.

France were outplayed at home and lost 0 to 2 and Prunier did not have a good match along with the rest of his teammates.

This turned out to be his solitary cap.

Photo from: Onze-Mondial, March 1993

(William Prunier with Auxerre, 1992/93)

2- Daniele Zoratto

Parma midfielder Daniele Zoratto was 31 years old when Arrigo Sacchi selected him to start in a World Cup Qualifier vs. Switzerland at Bern on May 1, 1993.

He owed his selection to Parma’s excellent season that culminated in a third place finish and triumph in the Cup Winners Cup.

Italy lost this match 0 to 1 and Zoratto himself was substituted in the 64^th minute by Gianluigi Lentini with Italy trailing behind in the match.

This turned out to be his solitary cap.

Photo from:World Soccer, April 1994

(Italy Squad, Top, left to right: Paolo Maldini, Pietro Vierchowod, Moreno mannini, Dino Baggio, Gianluca Pagliuca, Bottom, left to right: Roberto Mancini, Daniel Zoratto, Roberto Baggio, Giuseppe Signori, Diego Fuser, France Baresi, May 1, 1993, World Cup Qualifier, Switzerland 1-Italy 0)

3- Michel Kreek

Dutch midfielder Michel Kreek earned his cap mostly due to refusal of the entire Ajax contingent to turn up for the national team.

The Ajax players had complained of their already busy program and did not want to take part in a Friendly match vs. Portugal, set up for commercial reasons.

Kreek had left Ajax, only months earlier, as he was unable to break into the team.

He had done reasonably well at Italian club Padova.

These defections earned Kreek, who otherwise would probably not have been selected, a rare outing with the national team.

The dutch team featuring many newcomers lost the Friendly on February 22, 1995 at Eindhoven by a score of 1 to 0.

With the Ajax contingent back, Kreek was never selected again.

Photo From: Het Nederlands Elftal, de histoire van oranje, 1989-1995, Authors: Matty Verkamman and Henk Mees

(Michel Kreek is standing, third from the left, February 22, 1995, Holland 0-Portugal 1)

4- Phil Parkes

Queens Park Rangers goalkeeper Phil Parkes earned his only cap in Alf Ramsey’s final match as England manager in a Friendly vs. Portugal at Lisbon on April 3, 1974 that ended in a scoreless tie..

Phil Parkes was one of the best English goalkeepers in the 1970s.

However, his bad luck was that he had to compete with Gordon Banks, Peter Shilton and Ray Clemence, which explains why he did not receive other opportunities.

Photo From: Soccer Monthly, Annual 1983

(Phil Parkes)

5- Francisco Llorente

Francisco ‘Paco Llorente’ Gento was the nephew of Real Madrid legend Francisco Gento.

He was called up by Spain in a UEFA European Championships Qualifier vs. Albania in Sevilla on November 18, 1987 ( 5 to 0 Spain win).

He had earned this opportunity following his brilliant display in the Champions Cup vs. Porto on November 4, 1987. Real Madrid had come from behind to win that match with Llorente assisting on both of Michel’s goals.

For the Albania match, he came on at halftime replacing Ramon Caldere.

Llorente managed to score Spain’s fourth goal in the 67^th minute, 22 minutes into his debut.

Despite scoring in his debut, he was never called up again by Spain, as in all his years at Real, he was never an automatic choice.

Photo From: AS Color, December 1988

(Francisco ‘Paco’ Llorente with Real Madrid 1988/89)