# The 14 Best Latin American Playmakers in World Cup History

> From mustachioed 70s artists to modern Golden Boot winners, these number 10s bent World Cups to their will with vision and flair. Who pulled the strings best?

*By YPB Team · Published June 20, 2026 · https://youpick.best/ranking/the-14-best-latin-american-playmakers-in-world-cup-history*

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## Current results (3 votes)

1. **Lionel Messi** — 66.67% (2 votes · score 1000/1000)
   Argentina's record-breaking maestro who orchestrated the 2022 World Cup triumph and won the Golden Ball twice.
2. **Diego Maradona** — 33.33% (1 votes · score 631/1000)
   Argentina's genius number 10 who almost single-handedly won the 1986 World Cup with iconic goals and assists.
3. **Socrates** — 0% (0 votes · score 546/1000)
   Brazil's elegant, philosophical midfield captain whose backheels and vision graced the 1982 World Cup.
4. **Zico** — 0% (0 votes · score 546/1000)
   Brazil's White Pele, a free-kick and playmaking artist who masterminded the beloved 1982 World Cup team.
5. **James Rodriguez** — 0% (0 votes · score 473/1000)
   Colombia's playmaker who won the 2014 World Cup Golden Boot with six goals, including a stunning volley against Uruguay.
6. **Enzo Francescoli** — 0% (0 votes · score 387/1000)
   Uruguay's elegant Prince, a graceful creator who captained his country at the 1986 and 1990 World Cups.
7. **Pele** — 0% (0 votes · score 387/1000)
   Brazil's three-time World Cup winner whose creative brilliance and assists at 1958 and 1970 redefined the game.
8. **Ronaldinho** — 0% (0 votes · score 387/1000)
   Brazil's joyful magician whose audacious skills inspired the 2002 World Cup-winning campaign.
9. **Teofilo Cubillas** — 0% (0 votes · score 387/1000)
   Peru's greatest ever player, a stylish playmaker who scored five goals at both the 1970 and 1978 World Cups.
10. **Juan Roman Riquelme** — 0% (0 votes · score 387/1000)
   Argentina's classic enganche whose languid elegance and pinpoint passing defined the 2006 World Cup side.
11. **Kaka** — 0% (0 votes · score 387/1000)
   Brazil's surging attacking midfielder who carried the creative burden across the 2006 and 2010 World Cups.
12. **Carlos Valderrama** — 0% (0 votes · score 284/1000)
   Colombia's flamboyant, big-haired playmaker whose vision and passing lit up three World Cups in the 1990s.
13. **Rivellino** — 0% (0 votes · score 158/1000)
   Brazil's mustachioed creator whose thunderous left foot and trickery starred at the 1970 World Cup.
14. **Cuauhtemoc Blanco** — 0% (0 votes · score 158/1000)
   Mexico's charismatic playmaker, famous for the Cuauhteminha hop, who starred across three World Cups.

Tags: football, players, world cup, south america, national teams