5. Zinedine Zidane, France
Scored two goals with his head to lead France to victory in the 1998 World Cup final, but it was with his feet that Zidane brilliantly cut teams to shreds. With an ability to constantly keep opponents at bay when they thought the ball was theirs that was almost unparalleled, Zidane almost single-handedly inspired France to the World cup final in 2006, four years after he scored one of the all-time great goals in a European Cup final to win the trophy with Real Madrid.
4. Johan Cruyff, Netherlands
The most recognizable member of the great Dutch team of the 1970s that revolutionized the game with their Total Football, Cruyff was the total footballer. While nominally a center-forward, the Amsterdam-native was ahead of his time in dropping deep to the befuddlement of his opponents. Sadly never fell agonizingly short of winning the World Cup, but won three straight European Cups with Ajax.
3. Diego Maradona, Argentina
Maradona played in an era when defenders were allowed to get away with brutalizing their more skilled opponents, and yet he was still majestic. A hero for leading Italian club Napoli to their first and still only two Serie A titles, his greatest achievement came when he inspired Argentina to World Cup success in 1986, scoring mesmeric goals in both the quarterfinals and semifinals.
2. Lionel Messi, Argentina
The key member of the greatest club team in history as Barcelona dominated Europe, Messi can change a game in an instant with unfathomable close control while gliding forward at lightning speed. The Argentinian has answered doubts about his ability to perform for his country and could now complete his legacy by leading them to World Cup glory.
1. Pelé, Brazil
Bookended his career at the top level with World Cup wins, first as a brilliant 17-year-old in 1958 and then 12 years later as part of one of the greatest ever teams to ever grace the competition. In between he picked up another winner’s medal in 1962, although was injured during the tournament. The all-time top scorer for Brazil, Pele fired in a total of 1,281 goals during a glittering career.
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