Legendary Players & Icons
71 entries in the FIFA World Cup compendium.
A
Alessandro Del PieroItalian former professional footballer, mainly a second striker, regarded as one of the greatest players of…Andrea PirloItalian midfield maestro and World Cup winner.Andres IniestaThe calm genius who scored the winning goal in Spain's historic World Cup victory.
B
BebetoThree goals, one baby carriage, and a nation's joy made eternal on the 1994 World Cup stage.Bobby CharltonEnglish football legend and 1966 World Cup winner
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CafuThe only player to appear in three consecutive World Cup finals, and a two-time World Cup winner.Carlos Alberto TorresThe captain who scored one of the greatest goals in World Cup history and led Brazil to the 1970 title.Cristiano RonaldoPortuguese forward, five-time Ballon d'Or winner, all-time top scorer in football history.
D
David TrezeguetFrench striker who scored the golden goal in Euro 2000 and won the 1998 World Cup.DidiBrazilian playmaker, inventor of the folha seca free kick and a two-time World Cup winner.Diego ForlánThe Golden Ball winner who led Uruguay to the 2010 World Cup semi-finals.Diego MaradonaEl Pibe de Oro: The Golden Boy of football.Dino ZoffThe oldest ever winner of the World Cup, lifting the trophy as Italy's captain at age 40.DungaBrazilian midfield general and World Cup-winning captain
E
F
Fabio CannavaroThe only defender to win the FIFA World Player of the Year award, Cannavaro captained Italy to 2006 World Cup…Ferenc PuskásThe Galloping Major: Hungarian legend and Real Madrid icon.Franco BaresiThe wall that made Italy's World Cup dreams possible and their heartaches all the more unbearable.Franz BeckenbauerOne of three men to win the World Cup as both player and manager.
G
GarrinchaThe Joy of the People who danced his way to two World Cup titles for Brazil.Gary LinekerEngland's Golden Boot winner: great goals, zero cautions.Geoff HurstFirst player to score a hat-trick in a World Cup final.Gerd MüllerThe nation's Bomber: a prolific striker and record goalscorer for Bayern Munich and West Germany.Gianluigi BuffonThe starting goalkeeper who won the 2006 World Cup, keeping a record five clean sheets and winning the Golden…Giuseppe BergomiInter legend and World Cup winner who defined Italian defending.Gordon BanksEnglish goalkeeper who started every game of England's 1966 World Cup victory and made a legendary save…
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J
JairzinhoThe Hurricane who scored in every game of the 1970 World Cup.Javier SaviolaArgentine forward who won league titles in four countries and a UEFA Cup, and represented his nation at the…Jurgen KlinsmannA German striker who won the 1990 World Cup and later managed his national team to third place in 2006.Just FontaineThe Frenchman who scored thirteen goals in one World Cup summer.
K
KakáBrazilian midfield maestro who conquered Europe and the world.Karl-Heinz RummeniggeGerman football legend and executive, two-time Ballon d'Or winner and World Cup runner-up captain.
L
Lev YashinThe Black Spider who revolutionised goalkeepingLilian ThuramFrench defender who won the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000, known for his versatility at right-back and…Lionel MessiThe most decorated player in football history, Messi has won 46 team trophies and holds records for most…Lothar MatthäusThe captain who led West Germany to World Cup glory in 1990 and appeared in five tournaments.
M
MaradonaArgentine football legend, World Cup winner, and one of the greatest players of all time.Marco van BastenA sublime striker whose brilliance was cut short by injury.MbappéFrench forward, World Cup record scorer, and Real Madrid star.MessiFive tournaments, one nation's faith, and a final that rewrote football history.Michel PlatiniFrench football legend and former UEFA president, known as Le Roi.Miroslav KloseAll-time top scorer for Germany and former record holder for most goals in FIFA World Cup history.
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P
Paolo MaldiniIl Capitano: AC Milan and Italy legend, five-time Champions League winner, and one of the greatest defenders…Paolo RossiThe striker who led Italy to World Cup glory in 1982, winning the Golden Boot, Golden Ball, and Ballon d'Or.Patrick VieiraA dominating box-to-box midfielder and World Cup winner, now head coach of Senegal.Paul BreitnerGerman left-back and midfielder who scored in two World Cup finals and won the 1974 World Cup.Pavel NedvedThe Czech Fury whose relentless runs and left foot defined an era for club and country.PeléThe only player to win three World Cups as a player (1958, 1962, 1970) and the youngest to win a World Cup…Philipp LahmGerman former professional footballer and captain of Bayern Munich and Germany, who led his national team to…
R
RivaldoThe Brazilian playmaker who scored in five of seven games en route to the 2002 World Cup title.Roberto BaggioThe Divine Ponytail: Italian legend and World Cup record-holder.Roberto CarlosThe most offensive-minded left-back in historyRomárioBrazilian legend and 1994 World Cup winnerRonaldinhoThe wizard who conquered the worldRonaldoPortuguese professional footballer, forward and captain for Al-Nassr and Portugal, widely regarded as one of…Ronaldo NazárioBrazilian striker, three-time FIFA World Player of the Year, and World Cup winner.Ruud GullitDutch legend, Ballon d'Or winner, and pioneer of total football.
S
Sandor KocsisThe Hungarian striker who scored 11 goals at the 1954 World Cup, a record at the time.Sepp MaierThe Tiger who'd leave his goal and run you down — at a World Cup.SocratesThe philosopher who passed the ball like a poet and led a nation's dream to the edge of glory.Sándor KocsisThe Golden Head of the Mighty Magyars
T
TaffarelBrazil's most capped goalkeeper and hero of the 1994 World Cup triumph.Thierry HenryFrench striker who won the 1998 World Cup and became Arsenal's all-time leading scorer.TostãoBrazilian forward who partnered Pelé in the 1970 World Cup triumph.
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