The 15 Best International Players to Have Played for Tottenham Hotspur

Club competition throughout Europe takes a backseat to its international counterpart for the next couple of months as focus turns to the European Championships and then, to a lesser extent, Olympic football.

At Euro 2012 Jermain Defoe and Scott Parker (England), Rafael van der Vaart (Holland) and the Croatian trio of Luka Modric, Vedran Corluka and Niko Kranjcar will be the Tottenham Hotspur players on show, whilst younger squad members like Gareth Bale and Kyle Walker may be among those competing at London 2012.

Taking a moment to look back, just who among the many Spurs players to have also represented their respective countries enjoyed the best international careers?

Trimming it down to 15, the players on this list did not necessarily play for Tottenham for all of their international appearances and may have enjoyed their best moments on the world scene whilst at another club.

For example Jurgen Klinsmann and Ossie Ardiles both won international competitions outside of their time at Spurs, whereas others like Danny Blanchflower and Paul Gascoigne played much of their best international football whilst on the books at White Hart Lane.

They did, however, all wear the famous old cockerel on their shirt at one point in time and thus fulfill the most important requirement for taking their place among the 15 best international players to have played for Tottenham Hotspur.

(NOTE: With all due respect to the likes of Glenn Hoddle and Dave Mackay, while they produced many fine games and moments representing their country, for one reason or another their greatest success came at club level. But while they do not make this list, they and others great Spurs players like Ray Clemence, Darren Anderton, Vivian Woodward, etc. certainly had international careers to be proud of.)

15. Luka Modric and 14. Rafael van der Vaart

Of Tottenham's current crop of internationals, Luka Modric and Rafael van der Vaart are two of the best.

Modric has been one of the key players responsible for the revitalising of the Croatian national team under Slaven Bilic, memorably putting in a superb performance at Wembley in 2007 to ensure his own team's qualification for Euro 2008 and ending England's hopes.

At that European Championships, he was again in sparkling form. Croatia probably should have gone further than the quarterfinals, and when Ivan Klasnic scored late in extra time against Turkey, it seemed they would.

However, the Turks then snatched a stoppage-time equaliser, which left Croatia shell-shocked, and they subsequently lost on penalties.

Having missed out on qualification for World Cup 2010, they safely qualified for Euro 2012, where Modric will be pivotal should they hope to progress.

Van der Vaart was at South Africa 2010, part of a Holland side that went all the way to the final, a bad-tempered affair in which they lost 1-0 to Spain.

With the vast array of attacking talent perpetually on-call for the Dutch squad, van der Vaart has not always been a regular in the side, but he has still amassed nearly 100 caps since making his debut in 2001.

13. Danny Blanchflower

Danny Blanchflower bestrode British football as one of its most intelligent and captivating figures throughout his career and beyond, on and off the pitch.

It was as captain of Tottenham, and in particular Bill Nicholson's double-winning side of 1960-61, that he is most famous. But Blanchflower was a leader, too, for his country.

He led Northern Ireland memorably into their first World Cup campaign in Sweden in 1958 (he was an ever-present), where they caused no shortage of surprises.

First they upset Czechoslovakia with a 1-0 win (Wilbur Cush getting the goal) and, after a 3-1 loss to Argentina, drew 2-2 with West Germany in a game they had led for nearly 20 minutes into the second half.

That meant a playoff and once more a meeting with Czechoslovakia. Blanchflower and his teammates upset the odds again, defeating the eastern-Europeans 2-1 in extra time, the captain's former Aston Villa teammate Peter McParland scoring his second double in so many matches (taking his tally to five).

Northern Ireland fell to a 4-0 defeat to France in the quarterfinals, and they would not play in the World Cup again until 1982.

Considering Pat Jennings and George Best would emerge only a few years later, it is somewhat of a shame the stars did not align so they could team up with elder compatriots like Blanchflower and McParland.

12. Terry Medwin and 11. Cliff Jones

As part of Tottenham Hotspur's legendary sides of the late 1950s and 1960s, Cliff Jones forged a reputation as one of the world's best wingers.

Terry Medwin would not become quite as revered, but he was a similarly vital member of Bill Nicholson's teams of the era.

Both share this spot on this list, as both were members of Wales squad to play at the 1958 World Cup—along with defender Mel Hopkins, narrowly missing out on this list but whose quarterfinal display was described as "his finest game" in Brian Glanville's Guardian obituary—the only one in the country's history to have done so.

Wales finished second in Group 3 of the first round, drawing against Hungary (1-1), Mexico (1-1) and hosts and eventual finalists Sweden (0-0). That left them level on points with the Hungarians, forcing a playoff to decide who would progress. Medwin sealed a 2-1 win with his 76th-minute goal.

At the quarterfinal stage, Wales met Pele's Brazil, where the young striker continued to enhance his own burgeoning reputation with another goal on their way to the final.

That was that for Wales, not just in the tournament, but in terms of World Cup football (they have qualified only once for the European Championship in 1976, losing to Yugoslavia in the quarterfinals).

Jones would score 16 times in a 56-game international career that would last until 1969, whilst Medwin scored six times in 30 appearances before injury in 1963 caused him to retire from football altogether.

10. Noureddine Naybet

Noureddine Naybet was at Tottenham Hotspur for two seasons between 2004 and 2006. In that time his many years worth of experience was a crucial tool in the development of young defenders Ledley King and Michael Dawson, both players who undoubtedly improved playing alongside the veteran Moroccan.

Naybet played 115 times for his country and is still their record appearance holder six years after retiring from football.

The centre-back represented his country at six African Cup of Nations and was one of the defenders selected to the team of the tournament in the 1998 edition when Morocco reached the quarterfinals (their best placing of the last 20 years).

Part of Morocco's last two squads to qualify for the World Cup, Naybet played twice at USA '94 and captained his side in all three of their games at France '98.

9. Gheorghe Popescu

Gheorghe Popescu was only at Tottenham for a brief spell, spending most of the 1994-95 season at the Lane before moving onto Barcelona later in 1995.

But coming as it did following Romania's excellent 1994 World Cup campaign, it was an enjoyable glimpse of one of European football's most refined performers of the time.

That tournament saw Popescu ever-present for the Romanians, where alongside the likes of Gheorghe Hagi and Dan Petrescu, he excelled as they progressed to the quarterfinal stage (defeating a much-fancied Argentina along the way).

Romania would lose to Sweden on penalties in the quarterfinal, but their run was one of the most entertaining aspects of the tournaments and cemented the star status of several of their players. Popescu was one of them, his solid defensive instincts and intelligence in transition earning him many admirers.

Popescu, though, wasn't a total newcomer in the international game, having debuted in 1988 and been an ever-present for Romania at Italia '90. He again appeared in each of their games at France '98 and also played at the European Championships in 1996 and 2000.

Having played 115 times, leaving him third on his country's list of most appearances, Popescu retired from international competition in 2003.

8. Robbie Keane

Robbie Keane is one of the few players on this list who is still playing international football, and as of writing, is currently in preparation with his Republic of Ireland teammates for Euro 2012 their opening game against Croatia.

The Los Angeles Galaxy forward is the Republic's all-time leading scorer with 53 goals and one of their most-capped players with well over 100 appearances (and counting!).

Keane played a big part in his country's progression to the second round of the 2002 World Cup, scoring three times, including late equalisers against Spain and Germany.

Whilst it has taken until 2011 for the Republic to once again qualify for a major tournament, Keane in the meantime has been one of his country's key players in ensuring they've remained relevant amongst their European rivals.

Under Italian great Giovanni Trapattoni, they have once again restored their status a team to be well aware of, and Keane will be hopeful of helping his country surprise some folks in the European Championships.

7. Jimmy Greaves

Jimmy Greaves was Tottenham Hotspur's greatest ever goalscorer and was also one of England's.

Aged just 19, Greaves started as he meant to go on, scoring England's solitary goal on his debut in a 4-1 defeat to Peru in May 1959. It was the first of 47 in 53 appearances, an incredible scoring rate that leaves him third behind only Sir Bobby Charlton and Gary Lineker on the list of the country's top scorers.

That tally also included a record six hat tricks and a five-game stretch in 1960-61 in which he scored 11 times.

In World Cup play, Greaves scored once at Chile '62 in a 3-1 win over Argentina whilst also starting each of England's other three games at the tournament.

He was part of England's victorious 1966 World Cup squad and played in each of their three group games before an injury in the game against France saw him replaced by (Sir) Geoff Hurst, who held onto the spot up-front for the rest of the competition (scoring in the quarterfinal against Argentina and then famously hitting a hat trick in the final to defeat West Germany 4-2).

6. Paul Gascoigne

Outside of the boys of '66, Paul Gascoigne may well be the most talented footballer to proudly wear the three lions.

Having convinced then manager (Sir) Bobby Robson he could not afford to leave him out of England's World Cup squad, Gazza proceeded to wow the watching world at Italia '90 with moments of skill and ability that, at least in terms of technique, put him on par with the game's very best at the time.

The midfielder helped guide his team all the way to the semifinal stage, his skill transforming itself into influential and vital displays that England would surely not have progressed further without out.

In a tough encounter against West Germany in the semifinal, England's talisman was cruelly denied the chance of any further participation beyond the match after Thomas Berthold's exaggeration led to a suspension-causing yellow card for Gascoigne. His subsequent tears were matched by many in the nation as England lost on penalties.

Germany would again dispatch England in a shootout six years later at the European Championships, but prior to that point Gascoigne, had once more been an integral part of a strong England side.

In the 2-0 group stage win over Scotland, he scored probably his best ever goal for club or country. Running onto Darren Anderton's pass, Gascoigne proceeded to flick it over Colin Hendry before volleying it beyond his Rangers teammate Andy Goram.

All in all, Gascoigne played 57 times for England.

5. Pat Jennings

George Best might be Northern Irish football's most famous son, but their greatest was Pat Jennings.

The two both broke into the national setup in 1964 around the same time they were making names for themselves in English football.

But where Best's greatest days representing his country were behind him by the time of his last international cap in 1977, Jennings' were still to come.

The goalkeeper who famously played for both Tottenham and their north-London rivals Arsenal was well on the way to his record haul of 119 caps by that point, and he would not play his last game until his 41st birthday.

That day, 12 June 1986, was also to be Northern Ireland's last appearance at a major tournament, as their 3-0 first-round Group D loss to Brazil sent them home from the 1986 World Cup. It ended a golden era for the country's football team, which saw them qualify for two World Cups in a row under manager Billy Bingham (pictured above with Jennings).

The previous edition in Spain in 1982 saw them top Group 5 in the first round, with Jennings keeping two clean sheets, including one in his team's famous 1-0 win against Spain.

The following round was not so joyous, as Jennings missed a 2-2 draw with Austria before a 4-1 defeat to France ended their World Cup dream. Still, Northern Irish supporters would gladly take such defeats now for the chance to cheer on a great like Jennings again.

4. Gary Lineker

Second on England's list of all-time scorers, Gary Lineker is just one behind Sir Bobby Charlton with 48 goals from his 80 appearances.

Nonetheless, Lineker's record is one to be proud of, especially considering how his goals fired his country to two of their best World Cup performances.

At Mexico '86, England's journey was ended by the genius and the disgrace of Diego Maradona at the quarterfinal stage in a 2-1 defeat to Argentina. Lineker struck England's reply, which reaped the benefits individually at least, taking him to six for the tournament and winning him the Golden Boot award.

Though not as prolific four years later at Italia '90, Lineker was still there for England with some important goals and, just like his team, got better as the tournament progressed.

His two penalties were enough for England to get the best of a tricky encounter with Cameroon at the quarterfinal stage. Then against West Germany a round later, Lineker got a late equaliser to take the game beyond normal time.

Lineker struck first in the subsequent penalty shootout, but misses from Stuart Pearce and Chris Waddle sent the Germans into the final.

3. Martin Peters

There can be few compliments higher for a footballer than being viewed by your manager as "10 years ahead of his time."

This was how Alf Ramsey famously described Martin Peters, a player known most for his goal in the 1966 World Cup final, but also so much more.

Often referred to as "The Ghost," Peters' timing and judgement made him a constant danger to opposition defences, popping up into critical positions when least expected. The best example of which being that final goal against West Germany.

He was an adept finisher and a talented, understated passer, too, a vital component in Ramsey's sides during that era. Like Bobby Charlton, Peters was substituted while England held the lead over West Germany in the 1970 World Cup quarterfinal. Peters later said Ramsey admitted the decision to sub him was a mistake, as the Germans went on to win.

Martin Peters was just that crucial.

It was demonstrative of his ability right at the start that Peters hit the ground running almost straight away in his international career. He maintained that consistency throughout, from his time at West Ham right through to joining Spurs, where he was at when he played his last game for England.

2. Ossie Ardiles

It was one of the great transfer coups in football history. Tottenham Hotspur, having just been promoted back to the top flight after a year in the second division, signed two World Cup winners.

They were Ricardo Villa and Osvaldo Ardiles, and Keith Burkinshaw had somehow persuaded them to come to England and help restore his club as one of England's best, something they would duly achieve.

Villa played 25 times for Argentina and was part of the squad that won on home turf in 1978, but Ardiles was a genuine key member of the team that won his country their first World Cup, playing every game but one (the 6-0 thrashing of Peru that sealed their place in the final).

Ossie's team took a little while to settle in the tournament and finished second behind Italy in the first round, something that proved to be "a blessing in disguise," as Ardiles told English newspaper The Telegraph in 2011.

"It meant we would have to play our second-round matches in a smaller stadium in Rosario, away from the pressure-cooker of Buenos Aires," said Ardiles. "It was there that we found our form."

That they did, finishing top of Group B to reach the final against Holland. There Ardiles set up Mario Kempes for Argentina's first before the Dutch took the game to extra time with a Dick Nanninga goal. The home team struck back, though, Kempes scoring again before Daniel Bertoni finished things off.

Ardiles was back again four years later to defend the World Cup with Argentina in Spain. The midfielder was an ever-present and scored in the first-round group stage 4-1 win over Hungary. It was not to be, though, for the reigning champions, as they were sent home after finishing bottom of their second group.

It was testament to the respect Ardiles was held among his countrymen that when it came time for his Tottenham testimonial in 1986, Diego Maradona came to England to play in the game.

1. Jurgen Klinsmann

Just as when Ardiles and Villa had arrived in 1978, it was with a certain level of incredulity that Tottenham's signing of Jurgen Klinsmann was greeted.

The German may not have been coming off a World Cup-winning campaign in 1994, but that summer's tournament in the USA had seen him performing at just as a high level as ever, with the striker scoring five times before his team were dispatched by Bulgaria in the quarterfinals.

Klinsmann is undoubtedly one of the great World Cup players of the past 30 years, maintaining a consistency of performance throughout his three campaigns that saw him score in each of them.

His three goals at his first in Italia '90 contributed to West Germany's third World Cup victory (after 1954 and 1974), and three goals in France '98 capped off a distinguished career at international level (even if Germany themselves disappointed, going out at the quarterfinal stage).

In between all this, Klinsmann combined his goalscoring duties with a leadership role to good effect, captaining his country to the 1996 European Championships (scoring three times along the way).

Klinsmann has since returned to the international game twice as manager. His first stint, managing Germany, saw them reach the semifinal on home soil in a campaign that reinvigorated the country's faith in its team.

Currently, he is in charge of the United States of America, where he will be hopeful of leading them to the sort of success he enjoyed as a player himself.