1
Pele (Edson Arantes Do Nascimento)
Country: Brazil
DOB: 23/10/1940
World Cups played: 1958, 1962, 1966, 1970
Football's finest ambassador
A Brazilian football institution who won his first World Cup in 1958 as a 17-year-old, Pele is a household name the world over, winning the tournament again in 1962 and securing his beloved Brazil the Jules Rimet trophy forever by winning the tournament for a third time in 1970. Along with Maradona, Pele is regarded as the Greatest Footballer Who Has Ever Lived.
Did you know?
During his career, Pele turned down deals with Real Madrid, Juventus, Man Utd and AC Milan to stay on with his beloved Santos.
2
Michel Platini
Country: France
DOB: 21/06/1955
World Cups played: 1978, 1982, 1986
A Gallic maestro with a South American touch
in a time when European players were considered more robust and athletic than their South American counterparts, Michel Platini stood out as a man who could caress and cajol a football with the flavours of Rio and Buenos Aires. He was a man capable of sumptuous flicks, delicious control and the ability to make a dead ball come alive.
Platini directed the French midfield for a decade, conducting play with the inside and outside of both feet, delivering killer passes and lodging his fair share of goals. He was voted European Footballer of the Year in 1983, 84 and 85. He is now the President of UEFA, rarely filling the football worlds with as much pleasure as he did during his playing days.
Did you know?
From midfield, Platini scored 41 goals in 72 appearances for his country.
3
Lothar Matthaus
Country: Germany
DOB: 21/03/1961
World Cups played: 1982, 1986, 1990, 1994, 1998
Perceptive passer with an explosive right-foot shot
An incredibly consistent performer symptomatic of Germany's flowing teutonic approach to the game, Lothar Matthaus was his homeland's torchbearer for nearly two full decades, making 150 appearances for his country. He marked Maradona in the 3-2 defeat in the 1986 final, the Argentinian describing him as "the best rival I've ever had".
Did you know?
Matthaus has played in five World Cups, more than any other outfield player.
4
Socrates
Country: Brazil
DOB: 19/02/1954
World Cups played: 1982, 1986
Dr Soccer
A qualified physician who played passes of surgical precision, Socrates' laidback, tempo-setting style made him the envy of players the world over. while nerves and tempers frayed around him, Socrates was always a a picture of complete calm.
Did you know?
Incredibly, for a ball-playing midfielder, Socrates was 6ft 4in tall, and a heavy drinker and smoker.
5
Luis Figo
Country: Portugal
DOB: 04/11/1972
World Cups: 2002, 2006
Luis Figo was the leader of Portugal's so-called "Golden Generation" playing a massive 127 times for his country and leading them to their first World Cup semi-final since the Eusebio era in 1966. Whether the country's new posterboy, Cristiano Ronaldo, can go one better remains to be seen.
Did you know?
Figo won both the 2000 European Footballer of the Year and 2001 FIFA World Player of the Year awards.
6
Gordon Banks
Country: England
DOB: 30/12/37
World Cups: 1966, 1970
Banks of England
According to legend Banks's hands were as safe as The Old Lady of Threadneedle Street, and he proved it in 1966, helping England lift the trophy, and with his most famous save from the head of Pele in 1970.
Did you know?
Banks's career was cut short by a car accident in which he lost the sight in his right eye.
7
Jairzinho
Country: Brazil
DOB: 25/12/1944
World Cups: 1966, 1970, 1974
Wing commander
Garrincha's right-wing successor, and part of the all-conquering Brazil team of 1970, Jairzinho was built like a welterweight boxer using speed, power and a direct attitude to punish opposition defences.
Despite fracturing his right leg twice before the 1970 tournament, manager Mario Zagallo kept faith with him and he returned this conviction emphatically by scoring twice in the opening game against Czechoslovakia. His second was pure inspiration and pure Jairzinho. He dribbled past three players before shooting powerfully past the keeper, keeping his place in the team and becoming a pivotal part of the World Cup's most famous team.
Did you know?
Jairzinho was one of the first players to join the opposition wall during set plays. He started this against the baffled Czechs in the aforementioned game in 1970, moving out of the way before Rivelino would strike the ball. A true innovator.
8
Oliver Kahn
Country: Germany
DOB: 15/06/1969
World Cups: 1998, 2002, 2006
Germanic Brick Wall
King Kahn's formidable presence was enough to lead an unfancied German team all the way to the final in 2002 an dfor him to become the first goalkeeper in history to win the Golden Ball for the best individual performance. He earned 86 caps for Germany, 49 as captain.
Did you know?
After losing 5-1 to England in a World Cup qualifying match in Munich Kahn said, 'In Germany we call this supergau - a nuclear explosion. It is a catastrophe."
9
Roberto Baggio
Country: Italy
DOB: 18/02/1967
World Cups: 1990, 1994, 1998
The Divine Ponytail
An Italian that was as gifted technically as he was follicly, Il Divin Codino's skills blessed three World Cup tournaments, scoring the "Goal of the Tournament" with a mazy dribble and finish against Czechoslovakia in 1990.
Did you know?
Baggio is the only Italian player ever to score in three World Cups.
10
Roger Milla
Country: Cameroon
DOB: 20/05/1952
World Cups: 1982, 1990, 1994
Cameroon’s DJ in residence
If ever there was a footballer that made you want to dance, it was Roger Milla. He was the star of the Cameroon team of the 1990 World Cup, performing his very own jog at the corner after each of his four goals in the tournament. In 2006, he was chosen for best African player of the last century by the African football association.
Did you know?
When he netted against Russia in 1994, he became the oldest person to score in a World Cup at 42 years of age.
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