World Cup History
World Cup Legends
The greatest players to ever grace the world's biggest stage. From Pelé to Messi, these icons defined football history.
The Greatest of All Time
Pelé
Forward • 1958-1970
14
WC Matches
12
WC Goals
World Cups
Achievements
- 3x World Cup Winner
- Youngest World Cup winner (17)
- World Cup Golden Ball 1970
"The World Cup is a very important way to measure the good players, and the great ones."
Diego Maradona
Attacking Midfielder • 1982-1994
21
WC Matches
8
WC Goals
World Cups
Achievements
- 1986 World Cup Winner
- Golden Ball 1986
- Goal of the Century
"When you win, you don't get carried away. But if you go step by step, with confidence, you can go far."
Lionel Messi
Forward • 2006-2022
26
WC Matches
13
WC Goals
World Cups
Achievements
- 2022 World Cup Winner
- Golden Ball 2014 & 2022
- Most World Cup appearances for Argentina
"I had to wait until 35 years old to lift this trophy. It was worth it."
Ronaldo Nazário
Striker • 1994-2006
19
WC Matches
15
WC Goals
World Cups
Achievements
- 2x World Cup Winner
- All-time World Cup top scorer (15)
- Golden Ball 1998
"If you think you are the best, you are already finished."
Zinedine Zidane
Midfielder • 1998-2006
12
WC Matches
5
WC Goals
World Cups
Achievements
- 1998 World Cup Winner
- Golden Ball 2006
- 2 goals in 1998 Final
"When you are relaxed, you can perform better."
Franz Beckenbauer
Sweeper/Libero • 1966-1974
18
WC Matches
5
WC Goals
World Cups
Achievements
- 1974 World Cup Winner (Captain)
- Invented the modern sweeper role
- World Cup winner as player & manager
"Football is one of the world's best means of communication."
Johan Cruyff
Forward • 1974
7
WC Matches
3
WC Goals
World Cups
Achievements
- 1974 Golden Ball
- Pioneered "Total Football"
- Cruyff Turn invented at 1974 World Cup
"Football is simple, but the hardest thing is to play simple football."
Miroslav Klose
Striker • 2002-2014
24
WC Matches
16
WC Goals
World Cups
Achievements
- 2014 World Cup Winner
- All-time World Cup top scorer (16)
- Most World Cup goals by a European
"I always wanted to do things my own way."
Gerd Müller
Striker • 1970-1974
13
WC Matches
14
WC Goals
World Cups
Achievements
- 1974 World Cup Winner
- Golden Boot 1970 (10 goals)
- Scored winning goal in 1974 Final
"Just give me the ball."
Paolo Maldini
Defender • 1990-2002
23
WC Matches
0
WC Goals
World Cups
Achievements
- 4 World Cups
- All-time great defender
- Captain of Italy
"If I have to make a tackle then I have already made a mistake."
Lev Yashin
Goalkeeper • 1958-1970
13
WC Matches
0
WC Goals
World Cups
Achievements
- Only goalkeeper to win Ballon d'Or
- Estimated 150 penalty saves
- Revolutionized goalkeeping
"The joy of seeing Yuri Gagarin flying in space is only superseded by the joy of a good penalty save."
Cafu
Right Back • 1994-2006
20
WC Matches
0
WC Goals
World Cups
Achievements
- 2x World Cup Winner
- Only player to play in 3 consecutive finals
- Captain in 2002
"In football, the worst blindness is only seeing the ball."
Iconic World Cup Moments
1950
Maracanazo
Uruguay stuns Brazil 2-1 in the World Cup Final at Maracanã in front of 200,000 fans.
1958
Pelé Emerges
17-year-old Pelé scores 6 goals including 2 in the Final as Brazil wins their first World Cup.
1966
England's Glory
Geoff Hurst scores a hat-trick as England beats West Germany 4-2 in extra time at Wembley.
1970
The Beautiful Game
Brazil's Jairzinho scores in every match as they claim their third World Cup with arguably the greatest team ever.
1986
Hand of God & Goal of the Century
Maradona scores two of the most famous goals ever in the same match against England.
1998
France's Triumph
Zidane heads home twice as hosts France beat Brazil 3-0 in Paris.
2014
7-1
Germany humiliates host nation Brazil with an unprecedented 7-1 semi-final victory.
2022
Messi's Coronation
Argentina beats France on penalties in perhaps the greatest World Cup Final ever, completing Messi's legacy.
World Cup Records
5
Most Titles (Brazil)
16
Most Goals (Klose)
25
Most Matches (Matthaus)
13
Goals in Finals (Fontaine)