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

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

Careca

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

767pts

3

Pelé

Brazilian forward who won three World Cups and remains the only man to lift the trophy that many times.

714pts

4

Paolo Rossi

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

683pts

5

Romário

Brazilian striker whose predatory finishing led Brazil to the 1994 World Cup title.

627pts

6

Ronaldo Nazário

Brazilian striker whose blend of speed and finishing carried Brazil to the 2002 World Cup title.

627pts

7

Roberto Baggio

Italian forward known as the 'Divine Ponytail' who starred for Italy across three World Cups.

488pts

8

Kylian Mbappé

French striker who scored a World Cup final hat-trick in 2022 after starring as a teenager in 2018.

488pts

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

Johan Cruyff

Dutch icon who led the Total Football revolution and guided the Netherlands to the 1974 final.

488pts

11

Zico

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

488pts

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

Ferenc Puskás

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

399pts

14

Eusébio

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

399pts

15

Andrés Iniesta

Spanish midfielder whose extra-time goal won Spain the 2010 World Cup final.

399pts

16

Ronaldinho

Brazilian playmaker known for his flair and creativity who won the World Cup in 2002.

399pts

17

Bobby Moore

English defender who captained England to their only World Cup title in 1966.

399pts

18

Just Fontaine

French striker who scored a record 13 goals in a single World Cup tournament in 1958.

399pts

19

Mario Kempes

Argentine striker who top-scored and inspired the host nation to victory at the 1978 World Cup.

399pts

20

Miroslav Klose

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

399pts

21

Gerd Müller

German striker whose clinical finishing helped West Germany win the 1974 World Cup.

399pts

22

James Rodríguez

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

399pts

23

Xavi Hernández

Spanish midfielder whose passing mastery anchored Spain's 2010 World Cup-winning side.

293pts

24

Franz Beckenbauer

German sweeper who redefined defending and captained West Germany to the 1974 World Cup title.

293pts

25

René Higuita

Colombian goalkeeper famed for his eccentric, attacking style and the scorpion-kick save.

293pts

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

Garrincha

Brazilian winger celebrated for his dribbling who helped Brazil win the 1958 and 1962 World Cups.

163pts

28

Luis Suárez

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

163pts