The 16 Greatest World Cup Breakout Stars of All Time

Unknowns who became overnight legends, veterans who stole the show and teenagers who announced themselves to the planet. Which breakout was the biggest?

1

Miroslav Klose

German striker who introduced himself with five headed goals at the 2002 World Cup, launching a record career.

1000pts

2

James Rodriguez

Colombia's playmaker who announced himself to the world by winning the 2014 World Cup Golden Boot.

943pts

BE

3

Kylian Mbappe

France's teenage rocket who lit up the 2018 World Cup and scored in the final at just 19.

877pts

4

Thomas Muller

Unheralded German forward who won the 2010 World Cup Golden Boot as a 20-year-old breakout sensation.

840pts

5

Geoff Hurst

England forward who seized his chance and scored a famous hat-trick in the 1966 World Cup final.

600pts

6

Michael Owen

Teenage England striker whose wonder goal against Argentina at France 98 made him an overnight star.

600pts

7

Roger Milla

Cameroon's veteran striker whose corner-flag dances at the 1990 World Cup made him a global icon.

600pts

8

Pele

A 17-year-old unknown who burst onto the scene at the 1958 World Cup and led Brazil to glory.

491pts

9

Garrincha

Brazil's dribbling genius who emerged alongside Pele in 1958 and dominated the 1962 World Cup.

491pts

10

Paolo Rossi

Italian striker who returned from a ban to win the Golden Boot and the 1982 World Cup almost single-handedly.

491pts

11

Roberto Baggio

Italy's Divine Ponytail who first captivated the world with his solo brilliance at Italia 90.

491pts

12

Just Fontaine

France striker who exploded into history with a record 13 goals at the 1958 World Cup.

360pts

13

Salvatore Schillaci

Little-known Italian who came off the bench to win the Golden Boot and Golden Ball at Italia 90.

360pts

14

Hristo Stoichkov

Bulgaria's fiery forward who shared the 1994 Golden Boot and dragged his country to the semi-finals.

360pts

15

Oleg Salenko

Russian striker who stunned the world with a record five goals in a single 1994 World Cup match.

360pts

16

Davor Suker

Croatia's clinical forward who won the Golden Boot and fired his nation to third place at France 98.

200pts