big stars have been brightest at World Cup
For the next six weeks, debates will rage from Buenos Aires to Bloemfontein over who is the world's best player: Messi or Rooney? Ronaldo (the Portuguese version) or Kaka? For these six, there can be no arguing their greatness on the game's biggest stage.
Pele, Brazil One name stands alone. The only player to win three World Cups (1958, 1962, 1970), his athleticism, speed and magical dexterity made him a joy to behold. He still holds the record as the youngest to play in a World Cup final (17 years, 239 days) not that you'd know it from the way he played, scoring two goals in the victory over Sweden that gave Brazil its first title.
Diego Maradona, Argentina He played in four World Cups and was awarded the Golden Ball after leading Argentina to the title in 1986. But it's his two goals in the quarterfinal win over England that made him a legend. The first, of course, was the "Hand of God," when Maradona jumped for the ball with England goalkeeper Peter Shilton but, instead of putting his head on it, punched it into the net. Four minutes later, Maradona got the ball on Argentina's side of the field and slalomed around six England players before scoring. The goal was voted "Goal of the Century" in a 2002 FIFA online poll.
Franz Beckenbauer, West Germany "Der Kaiser" is the only person to win World Cup titles as a captain (1974) and a coach (1990). As a player, he was a tactical master, controlling games from the back line to the midfield. He is credited with the creation of the attacking sweeper, transforming a position that had only been used in defense into an offensive threat.
Johan Cruyff, Netherlands Widely considered the best player never to win a World Cup title, Cruyff's speed, agility and vision personified "Total Football." Though he played center forward, he could just as easily devastate opponents from the wing or midfield. Cruyff and Netherlands cruised into the 1974 final, conceding only one goal and winning all but one of their six matches, only to be stifled by host West Germany in the final.
Garrincha, Brazil Twotime World Cup champion (1958, 1962), and winner of the Golden Ball in 1962. Despite a left leg that was shorter than the right, he's considered by many to be the best dribbler in history. With Pele injured in 1962,
Spain Soccer Jerseys, Garrincha scored four times against England and Chile. He played for Brazil for nine years, and his only loss came in his last game, at the 1966 World Cup.
Ronaldo, Brazil Twotime champion (1994, 2002) holds the record for most goals scored (15) at the World Cup. A seizure the night before the 1998 final clearly took its toll, and might just have cost Brazil the title against host France. That would not be the case four years later, when Ronaldo and Brazil steamrolled their way to the championship. He scored eight of Brazil's 18 goals, including both in the final, and had at least one goal against every opponent but England.
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