International players are excelled (6)
I believe the answer is:
capped
'excelled' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both to do with fundamental existence as well as being past participle verbs.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'international players' is the wordplay.
'international' becomes 'cap' (sportsperson who competes internationally).
'players' becomes 'ped' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'cap'+'ped'='CAPPED'
'are' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for capped that I've seen before include "Picked for one's country" , "Limited" , "Covered on top" , "Imposed limit on, using headgear?" , "Imposed limits - or headgear?" .)