Features

The all-time World Cup greats

Author: John Harris
Date: 18/07/2010
Football betting

With the World Cup now at an end and another four years until the next edition in Brazil, there have been a few players that have excelled on the big stage this summer.

Spain stars Xavi, Andres Iniesta, David Villa and Carles Puyol have impressed alongside Wesley Sneijder of Netherlands, Germany's Mesut Ozil, Bastain Schweinsteiger and Thomas Muller and Uruguay's Diego Forlan but, before they can enter the World Cup hall of fame, we take a look at who we would place in an all-time dream team.

Dino Zoff, Italy

The goalkeeper became the oldest man in World Cup history to lift the trophy after his nation beat West Germany in the 1982 final in Madrid.

After featuring in the 1974 and 1978 finals, Zoff and his team-mates got it right when he was aged 40 years four months and 13 days.

Cafu, Brazil

The marauding full-back played a pivotal part in helping his country land their fifth title in 2002 and as when they fell at the hands of France in the 1998 final.

He made 17 appearances at the World Cup finals and his attacking forays will be remembered for years to come.

Paolo Maldini, Italy

The Italy legend played in 23 games at the sport's biggest event and, although he couldn't grab the ultimate glory, played in four finals over a 16-year period.

Lothar Matthaeus, Germany

Veteran of four World Cup finals, Matthaeus guided West Germany to a 1-0 win over Argentina at Italia 90 to lift the famed gong.

He featured in 22 games for his country before bowing out after their elimination in France, 1998.

Franz Beckenbauer, Germany

Der Kaiser starred for West Germany in 1966 as his side lost 4-2 in the final to England and further heartbreak followed four years later when they lost 4-3 to Italy an epic semi-final.

But on home soil in 1974, the Germans beat fierce rivals Netherlands 2-1 in Munich's Olympiastadion, allowing Beckenbauer to finally lift the trophy.

Zinedine Zidane, France

The France talisman headed two goals in his side's 1998 triumph in their own backyard when they beat Brazil 3-0 and, although they failed in Japan and South Korea four years later, they bounced back in Germany.

Against all the odds, an ageing French squad scraped through to the final, where they met Italy.

Zidane sumptuously chipped his side in front from the penalty spot, but Marco Materazzi headed home an equaliser.

However, the pair were to square up in extra-time and it was Zidane's headbutt on the Azzurri defender that hit the headlines.

He was dismissed and Italy eventually won on penalties, but his success on the big stage should not be overlooked.

Diego Maradona, Argentina

Maradona is infamous for his Hand of God goal against England in their quarter-final win in 1986, but it was his other goal in the game that demonstrated his brilliance.

After picking up the ball in his half, he dribbled past several Three Lions defenders before rounding Peter Shilton and slotting home.

He then hit a brace against Belgium in a last-four clash before helping his side pick up their second title by beating West Germany 3-2 in the final.

He featured in four successive finals between 1982 and 1994. Albiceleste reached the final in Italia 90, but indiscipline caused them success as the Germans gained their revenge with a 1-0 win, but the controversial star certainly lit up the game.

Johan Cruyff, Netherlands

Despite featuring in just one World Cup finals, in West Germany, 1974, Cruyff certainly made an impression as he helped the side reach the final.

Part of Rinus Michels' side and steeped in their Total Football theory, Cruyff helped the side waltz to wins over Argentina, East Germany and Brazil.

He scored three times during these games and, in the final against West Germany, he won an early penalty, from which team-mate Johan Neeskens scored, but the Oranje failed to hold on and lost 2-1.

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Ronaldo, Brazil.

Scorer of 15 World Cup finals goals, Ronaldo remains the leading scorer in the history of the competition.

During France, 1998, he scored four goals as his burgeoning reputation gathered momentum. In Japan and South Korea four years later, he added eight efforts, including two in the 2-0 final victory over Germany.

Finally, in Germany, 2006, he scored three more to go ahead of Germany legend Gerd Muller in the scoring stakes.

Gerd Muller, Germany

Muller, with 14 World Cup goals to his name, hit his goals in just 13 appearances.

He scored the winner in the 1974 final against rivals Netherlands and his name is etched in folklore.

Pele, Brazil

Arguably the greatest of them all. Pele shot onto the football world stage in 1958 when he scored twice in the final as the Selecao demolished hosts Sweden 5-2.

He featured at the 1962 and 1966 events, but his finest hour came in 1970 when Brazil beat Italy 4-1 in the final.

Pele nodded in his 12th World Cup finals goal to send his team on their way and this proved to be his last game on the big stage, but what a way to bow out.

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