The 28 Greatest World Cup Players of All Time

From tournament-defining icons of the 1950s to today's global superstars, this lineup spans generations of World Cup magic across every position. Who tops your list?

1. 1
   Diego Maradona

   Argentine playmaker whose 1986 campaign, including the Hand of God and Goal of the Century, is called the greatest individual World Cup performance ever.
   1000pts
2. 2
   Careca

   Brazilian striker known for a lethal strike partnership with Diego Maradona at club level and standout World Cup performances.
   767pts
3. 3
   Pelé

   Brazilian forward who won three World Cups and remains the only man to lift the trophy that many times.
   714pts
4. 4
   Paolo Rossi

   Italian striker whose six goals, including a hat-trick against Brazil, powered Italy to the 1982 title.
   683pts
5. 5
   Romário

   Brazilian striker whose predatory finishing led Brazil to the 1994 World Cup title.
   627pts
6. 6
   Ronaldo Nazário

   Brazilian striker whose blend of speed and finishing carried Brazil to the 2002 World Cup title.
   627pts
7. 7
   Roberto Baggio

   Italian forward known as the 'Divine Ponytail' who starred for Italy across three World Cups.
   488pts
8. 8
   Kylian Mbappé

   French striker who scored a World Cup final hat-trick in 2022 after starring as a teenager in 2018.
   488pts
9. 9
   Lionel Messi

   Argentine forward who finally claimed the World Cup in 2022 after producing one of the greatest individual tournaments in history.
   488pts
10. 10
    Johan Cruyff

    Dutch icon who led the Total Football revolution and guided the Netherlands to the 1974 final.
    488pts
11. 11
    Zico

    Brazilian playmaker nicknamed the 'White Pelé' celebrated for his vision across the 1978, 1982 and 1986 World Cups.
    488pts
12. 12
    Zinedine Zidane

    French midfielder who inspired France to the 1998 title and lit up 2006 with a legendary run to the final.
    399pts
13. 13
    Ferenc Puskás

    Hungarian forward and prolific scorer who led the 'Mighty Magyars' to the 1954 World Cup final.
    399pts
14. 14
    Eusébio

    Portuguese striker who top-scored at the 1966 World Cup and led Portugal to a third-place finish.
    399pts
15. 15
    Andrés Iniesta

    Spanish midfielder whose extra-time goal won Spain the 2010 World Cup final.
    399pts
16. 16
    Ronaldinho

    Brazilian playmaker known for his flair and creativity who won the World Cup in 2002.
    399pts
17. 17
    Bobby Moore

    English defender who captained England to their only World Cup title in 1966.
    399pts
18. 18
    Just Fontaine

    French striker who scored a record 13 goals in a single World Cup tournament in 1958.
    399pts
19. 19
    Mario Kempes

    Argentine striker who top-scored and inspired the host nation to victory at the 1978 World Cup.
    399pts
20. 20
    Miroslav Klose

    German striker who is the all-time leading scorer in World Cup history with 16 goals across four tournaments.
    399pts
21. 21
    Gerd Müller

    German striker whose clinical finishing helped West Germany win the 1974 World Cup.
    399pts
22. 22
    James Rodríguez

    Colombian playmaker who won the Golden Boot with six goals, including a stunning volley, at the 2014 World Cup.
    399pts
23. 23
    Xavi Hernández

    Spanish midfielder whose passing mastery anchored Spain's 2010 World Cup-winning side.
    293pts
24. 24
    Franz Beckenbauer

    German sweeper who redefined defending and captained West Germany to the 1974 World Cup title.
    293pts
25. 25
    René Higuita

    Colombian goalkeeper famed for his eccentric, attacking style and the scorpion-kick save.
    293pts
26. 26
    Lothar Matthäus

    German midfielder who captained West Germany to the 1990 title and holds the record for most World Cup matches played.
    293pts
27. 27
    Garrincha

    Brazilian winger celebrated for his dribbling who helped Brazil win the 1958 and 1962 World Cups.
    163pts
28. 28
    Luis Suárez

    Uruguayan striker known for his clinical finishing and fierce competitiveness across four World Cups.
    163pts