The argument over who the greatest football player of all time is has divided opinion throughout generations, and people’s responses will vary based on the historical period in which they were raised. Although Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have dominated world football in the previous 20 years, neither has, up until now, had a significant influence at the World Cup.
Whether a person has lost heartbreakingly after leading their country through a tournament or won multiple World Cups, when their names are mentioned, thoughts of the World Cup immediately come to mind.
10. Miroslav Klose, (Germany, 24 appeared, 16 goals)
In his fourth and last World Cup appearance in Brazil 2014, German striker Miroslav Klose solidified his reputation as an all-time great by not only helping his team win the championship but also by surpassing Brazil’s best scorer all-time courtesy to his goal in that 7-1 victory.
Germany had some success in the last three finals that Klose participated in, making it all the way to the 2002 World Cup final and finishing third in both the 2006 and 2010 World Cups. The only award Klose was missing was the World Cup trophy, and in his final match for his nation, he and Germany defeated Argentina to win a first World Cup in 24 years. Klose finished second in the race for the Golden Boot at the 2002 finals before finally winning it himself at Germany’s home finals in 2006.
9. Giuseppe Meazza, (Italy, Nine appeared, three goals)
Giuseppe Meazza of Italy, who achieved such iconic status in his own country that the San Siro football stadium was built in his honour, is without a doubt the first World Cup legend.
Meazza was an essential member of both World Cup-winning teams for the Azzurri, who won two of the three World Cups held before World War I, first on their own turf in 1934 and then again in France four years later.
8. Johan Cruyff, (Netherlands, Seven appeared, three goals)
A player must be a once-in-a-generation talent to play at just one World Cup, not win it, and still make an all-time list, and Johan Cruyff meets that description.
The Dutch legend served as the main foe in the team that helped propel them to the 1974 World Cup final and revolutionised contemporary football with their form of “Total Football.”
7. Roberto Baggio, (Italy, 16 appeared, nine goals)
Roberto Baggio of Italy is another athlete who never made it all the way to the World Cup final but is still widely recognised as the competition’s most famous participant.
Even though ‘The Divine Ponytail’ wasn’t frequently utilised at Italia ’90, he still managed to beat Czechoslovakia with one of his trademark dribbles, leaving half of the opposition’s defence in his wake before keeping his calm to score the tournament’s winning goal.
6. Franz Beckenbauer, (West Germany, 18 appeared, five goals)
Franz Beckenbauer, one of football’s all-time great defenders, is a legend of the game both as a player and manager, having won nearly every trophy there is to win.
One of the classiest players of his period, Der Kaiser earned his moniker for his ability to take charge both for Bayern Munich and the national team. He was a key component in West Germany’s 1974 World Cup victory and helped establish the sweeper position in contemporary football.
5. Garrincha, (Brazil, 12 appeared, five goals)
It takes some effort to be chosen from an almost infinite number of Brazilian heroes, but Garrincha’s efforts at the 1958 and 1962 World Cups merit a spot on this list.
While players like Jairzinho and Zico are legendary in World Cups, Garrincha’s accomplishments secure his place ahead of his countrymen, mostly because of his performance at the 1962 World Cup.
4. Ronaldo, (Brazil, 19 appeared, 15 goals)
Ronaldo had a troubled, injury-plagued professional career for many years, but he always reserved his best for the World Cup.
Ronaldo received a lot of similarities to his iconic compatriot Pele after winning the world championship at the young age of 17, and he subsequently had an international career of which the great man would have been pleased.
O Fenomeno won the Golden Ball in France ’98, but despite being completely out of it due to a seizure the morning of the final, he was perplexingly allowed to play, and Brazil lost 3-0.
3. Zinedine Zidane, (France, 12 appeared, five goals)
Zinedine Zidane, a centurion with the French national team, is regarded as the greatest footballer to ever be born in a European country.
His two goals in the 1998 World Cup final on home soil made him a national hero, and after the triumph, his picture was displayed on the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.
Zidane wasn’t able to participate much in France’s disaster in 2002 due to injury, but he was in top form in 2006 at a competition that would be his final as a player.
2. Diego Maradona, (Argentina, 21 appeared, eight goals)
Diego Maradona must be mentioned on any World Cup list, whether it be for his all-around talent, his sportsmanship in punching the ball into the goal, or the controversy surrounding his early departure from USA ’94 due to a failed drug test.
Putting his flaws aside, Maradona is without a doubt one of the best footballers of all time, and he frequently utilised the World Cup to demonstrate his brilliance.
1.Pele, (Brazil, 14 appeared, 12 goals)
Pele, a renowned three-time champion and national idol of Brazil, is the only individual who truly deserves to be at the top of this list.
While an injury ended his campaign in 1962, when Brazil defended their title, Pele was crucial to their victories in 1958 and 1970, becoming the first really international footballing celebrity.
Since he never played professionally in Europe and only appeared in front of the public once every four years at the World Cup, his breakthrough as a 17-year-old in 1958 lit up the entire planet.