World Cup Best Players of All Time: 2023 Edition (Part 2)
Yesterday I posted part one of the best World Cup players of all time! Here I am with part two! Enjoy.
6. Zinedine Zidane
Zinedine Zidane was a genius. One of the greatest players technically, he possessed excellent vision, was an impeccable passer of the ball and dictated the flow of games with ease. His ability to perform under pressure is understated.
Zidane starred for France in three World Cups and helped win the 1998 World Cup on home soil, scoring two goals in the World Cup Final.
5. Lothar Matthaus
One of the best World Cup players of all time, Lothar Matthaus was a phenomenon, with an exceptional and accurate passing range, great technical ability and leadership qualities that could lift everybody around him.
The German midfielder was a behemoth both on offense and defense. Matthaus made a record 25 World Cup appearances across five tournaments, and he duelled with Maradona in the 1986 and 1990 World Cup finals.
4. Franz Beckenbauer
Beckenbauer is credited with revolutionizing the game by popularizing and perfecting the modern sweeper role. He is the only defender in history to win the Ballon d'Or twice and led Germany to World Cup victories as a player in 1974, and as a manager in 1990.
Appearing in three World Cups for West Germany as a player, he combined his defensive skills with his remarkable ball-playing ability to become one of the best players in World Cup history.
3. Ronaldo
Ronaldo is one of the greatest World Cup players and strikers of all time. He helped lead Brazil to World Cup victories in 1994 and 2002, and retired with a then-record 15 World Cup goals across four tournaments.
At the height of his game Ronaldo was a ferocious striker and one of the most commercialized players in sports history. His dribbling, finishing and flair made him one of the most thrilling World Cup players to watch.
2. Diego Maradona
Argentinian national hero Diego Maradona is the second best World Cup player of all time. He played 21 games across four tournaments, scored eight goals and provided eight assists.
The victorious 1986 World Cup is Maradona's greatest legacy. His notorious “hand of God” and "Goal of the Century" goals separated Argentina and England in the quarter-final.
1. Pele
Pele is the best World Cup player of all time. Known for his exceptional power and accuracy with either foot, he was able to anticipate his opponents every move. Pele also had fantastic vision and intelligence when linking up with teammates.
An integral part of four World Cup campaigns for Brazil, he three of those tournaments with World Cup victories in 1958, 1962 and 1970. Pele finished with 12 goals and a record 10 assists from 14 World Cup appearances.
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