Short International Careers, Part Fifteen

1- Jason Wilcox

English midfielder Jason Wilcox was integral in Blackburn Rovers’ Premier League title win in 1994/95 and also had a successful spell for Leeds United.

He only managed to earn 3 caps spread around four years (1996/2000), earning his first in 1996 with Terry Venables and his last in 2000 with Kevin Keegan.

Photo From: Calcio 2000, Issue 32, July 2000

(Jason Wilcox at Leeds United)

2- Michel Wintacq

Belgian defender Michel Wintacq represented RFC Liege and Standard Liege in the 80s.

He was able to earn a solitary cap (October 12, 1983, EC Qualifier, Scotland 1-Belgium 1).

Guy Thys did not call him up afterwards.

Photo From: Foot Magazine, Issue 29, November 1983

(Michel Wintacq in his only match for Belgium, October 12, 1983, EC Qualifier, Scotland 1-Belgium 1)

3- Sebastien Frey

French goalkeeper Sebastien Frey joined the Italian Serie A (Internazionale Milano) as a teenager in 1998. He went on to have a long solid career in Italy and in addition to Inter, he played for teams such as Parma and Fiorentina.

Despite performing well for his clubs, he was overlooked by France Selectors as Fabien Barthez was firmly established as the starter.

He only played twice for France. In his first appearance (November 21, 2007, EC Qualifier, Ukraine 2-France 2), he made an error that cost France a goal.

Many felt that Manager Raymond Domenech used that as a case alibi from future call-ups (He played only once more for France).

Finally Frey gave up and retired from the National Team at age 28.

Photo From: Calcio 2000, Issue 32, July 2000

(Sebastien Frey at Verona, 1999/2000)

4- Edward Sturing

Dutch defender Edward Sturing represented Vitesse Arnhem in the late 80s and 90s.

He represented Holland on three occasions during the 1989/90 season and had an outside chance of making the 1990 World Cup Finals squad.

However, the Manager who gave him his debut (Thijs Lijbregts) was fired within months and Sturing was never called up again.

Photo From: de Internationals, de Historie van Oranje, Authors Matty Verkamman, Henri van der Steen, John Volkers

(Edward Sturing)

5- Antonio Sabato

Italian midfielder Antonio Sabato represented Internazionale Milano in the first half of the 80s.

His form there earned him four caps (all in 1984).

He also played in the 1984 Olympics.

Photo From: World Soccer, April 1985

(Internazionale Milano’s Antonio Sabato)