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?
1Diego MaradonaArgentine playmaker whose 1986 campaign, including the Hand of God and Goal of the Century, is called the greatest individual World Cup performance ever.1000pts
2CarecaBrazilian striker known for a lethal strike partnership with Diego Maradona at club level and standout World Cup performances.767pts
3PeléBrazilian forward who won three World Cups and remains the only man to lift the trophy that many times.714pts
4Paolo RossiItalian striker whose six goals, including a hat-trick against Brazil, powered Italy to the 1982 title.683pts
5RomárioBrazilian striker whose predatory finishing led Brazil to the 1994 World Cup title.627pts
6Ronaldo NazárioBrazilian striker whose blend of speed and finishing carried Brazil to the 2002 World Cup title.627pts
7Roberto BaggioItalian forward known as the 'Divine Ponytail' who starred for Italy across three World Cups.488pts
8Kylian MbappéFrench striker who scored a World Cup final hat-trick in 2022 after starring as a teenager in 2018.488pts
9Lionel MessiArgentine forward who finally claimed the World Cup in 2022 after producing one of the greatest individual tournaments in history.488pts
10Johan CruyffDutch icon who led the Total Football revolution and guided the Netherlands to the 1974 final.488pts
11ZicoBrazilian playmaker nicknamed the 'White Pelé' celebrated for his vision across the 1978, 1982 and 1986 World Cups.488pts
12Zinedine ZidaneFrench midfielder who inspired France to the 1998 title and lit up 2006 with a legendary run to the final.399pts
13Ferenc PuskásHungarian forward and prolific scorer who led the 'Mighty Magyars' to the 1954 World Cup final.399pts
14EusébioPortuguese striker who top-scored at the 1966 World Cup and led Portugal to a third-place finish.399pts
15Andrés IniestaSpanish midfielder whose extra-time goal won Spain the 2010 World Cup final.399pts
16RonaldinhoBrazilian playmaker known for his flair and creativity who won the World Cup in 2002.399pts
17Bobby MooreEnglish defender who captained England to their only World Cup title in 1966.399pts
18Just FontaineFrench striker who scored a record 13 goals in a single World Cup tournament in 1958.399pts
19Mario KempesArgentine striker who top-scored and inspired the host nation to victory at the 1978 World Cup.399pts
20Miroslav KloseGerman striker who is the all-time leading scorer in World Cup history with 16 goals across four tournaments.399pts
21Gerd MüllerGerman striker whose clinical finishing helped West Germany win the 1974 World Cup.399pts
22James RodríguezColombian playmaker who won the Golden Boot with six goals, including a stunning volley, at the 2014 World Cup.399pts
23Xavi HernándezSpanish midfielder whose passing mastery anchored Spain's 2010 World Cup-winning side.293pts
24Franz BeckenbauerGerman sweeper who redefined defending and captained West Germany to the 1974 World Cup title.293pts
25René HiguitaColombian goalkeeper famed for his eccentric, attacking style and the scorpion-kick save.293pts
26Lothar MatthäusGerman midfielder who captained West Germany to the 1990 title and holds the record for most World Cup matches played.293pts
27GarrinchaBrazilian winger celebrated for his dribbling who helped Brazil win the 1958 and 1962 World Cups.0pts
28Luis SuárezUruguayan striker known for his clinical finishing and fierce competitiveness across four World Cups.0pts
Comments 1
Five goals and five assists in one tournament has been done once, by Maradona in 1986. Three World Cups have been won once, by Pelé: https://youpick.best/articles/pele-vs-maradona-ranked https://youpick.best/articles/lionel-messi-ranked-many-ways
YP
ypb-teamAug 21
