TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Few stages in sport carry the weight, pressure, and global fascination of the FIFA World Cup, where football’s greatest icons are transformed into immortal legends.
Across generations, the tournament has produced remarkable heroes, from the dazzling brilliance of Pelé and the genius of Diego Maradona to the modern dominance of Lionel Messi and the explosive rise of Kylian Mbappé.
Blending statistical excellence, iconic performances, and lasting cultural impact, these extraordinary footballers have elevated the World Cup beyond a competition, turning it into the ultimate stage for sporting greatness.
Top Players in World Cup History
With insights from Give Me Sport, Al Jazeera and ESPN, here are some of the best players in World Cup History since its first edition in 1930.
10. Garrincha
Garrincha cemented his legacy as one of football’s greatest World Cup stars by helping Brazil win back-to-back titles in 1958 and 1962. In the 1958 final against Sweden, the explosive right winger provided two assists in Brazil’s 5-2 triumph, while Pelé emerged as the team’s headline star. Four years later at the 1962 FIFA World Cup in Chile, Garrincha stepped into the spotlight after Pelé suffered an injury early in the tournament.
9. Franz Beckenbauer
Having been recognized as one of only three men to win the World Cup both as a player and a manager alongside Didier Deschamps and Mário Zagallo, Franz Beckenbauer was an inspirational icon to many.
As he led West Germany to glory at the 1974 FIFA World Cup with five goals, the role of a defender has successfully extended beyond mere defense. Beckenbauer later added another chapter to his legacy by guiding Germany to the 1990 FIFA World Cup title as manager, while his brilliance on the pitch also earned him two Ballon d'Or honors during his illustrious career.
8. Eusebio
Long before Cristiano Ronaldo became the face of Portuguese football, Eusébio had already established himself as the nation’s original World Cup hero. Although he never lifted the trophy, the Ballon d'Or winner dazzled at the 1966 FIFA World Cup, leading Portugal to a historic semifinal run before falling to eventual champions England. Even so, Eusébio finished the tournament as the top scorer and claimed the Golden Boot.
7. Kylian Mbappe
Mbappé’s World Cup record is already among the best the sport has ever seen. The French superstar made his FIFA World Cup debut at just 19 years old in 2018 and became only the second teenager after Pelé to score in a World Cup final. Known for his explosive acceleration and devastating pace, Kylian Mbappé is also widely regarded as one of the fastest football players of all time, capable of outrunning defenders in just a matter of seconds.
6. Zinedine Zidane
Famously scoring twice in the final, Zinedine Zidane helped France to victory at the 1998 FIFA World Cup on home soil. His extraordinary performances for both France and Juventus also earned him the prestigious Ballon d'Or that same year. Zidane later captained France to another World Cup final in 2006, producing five goal contributions during the tournament, including a memorable Panenka penalty against Italy in the final.
5. Ronaldo
Ronaldo reached the peak of his powers at the 2002 FIFA World Cup, scoring eight goals to claim the Golden Boot, including two in the final against Germany as Brazil secured a fifth world title with a 2-0 victory. During his fourth World Cup appearance, he also broke the tournament’s all-time scoring record at the time by netting his 15th World Cup goal.
4. Miroslave Klose
Miroslav Klose remains the all-time leading scorer in FIFA World Cup history with 16 goals across 24 appearances for Germany. The prolific striker made an unforgettable World Cup debut in 2002 by scoring a hat-trick during Germany’s 8-0 victory over Saudi Arabia and went on to score in four different World Cups before finally lifting the trophy in 2014.
3. Diego Maradona
A worldwide icon, Diego Maradona, inspired Argentina to its second World Cup title, scoring five goals and providing five assists before earning the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player. Maradona’s legendary quarterfinal against England produced two of the most famous moments in football history: the controversial “Hand of God” goal and a breathtaking solo run past five England players that later became known as the “Goal of the Century.”
2. Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi further cemented his legacy in FIFA World Cup history by becoming the first player ever to win the Golden Ball at two separate tournaments. He first received the honor in 2014 after guiding Argentina to the final, where they narrowly lost 1-0 to Germany, before capturing the award again during his triumphant 2022 campaign.
1. Pele
Pelé remains the only player in history to win the FIFA World Cup three times, lifting the trophy with Brazil in 1958, 1962, and 1970. His rise to global superstardom began at just 17 years old during the 1958 tournament, where he became the youngest goalscorer in World Cup history after netting the winner against Wales in the quarterfinals.
From Pelé to Lionel Messi, every era of the FIFA World Cup has produced legends. Their goals, skills, and iconic moments continue to shape football history long after the final whistle. And with a new generation already rising, the World Cup’s story of greatness is far from over.
Read: 2026 FIFA World Cup Squads Announced So Far: Player Lists of All 48 Teams
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