World Cup 2026: Ranking the World Cup's biggest legends

Choosing the top 10 World Cup legends is not a simple task. It will be difficult to narrow down thousands of players from 22 tournaments spanning nearly a century. In my opinion, the top six or seven names are clear - although the order may be debatable - but who occupies the remaining spots will certainly be a hot topic. It's hard not to mention Miroslav Klose, the highest goalscorer in World Cup history, even though he's only ranked 11th. There's also no place for Garrincha, the outstanding Brazilian winger, or Roberto Baggio, an Italian icon, and France striker Just Fontaine, who scored 13 goals in the 1958 tournament. Great names like Johan Cruyff, Eusebio and Gerd Muller aren't on the list either - Maybe a top 20 would make it easier? - while the collective beauty of Spain's 2010 team kept none of them on the list. So who are the participants? Below are my top 10 who are associated with this tournament.

10. Sir Geoff Hurst, England, 1966 World Cup champion
We all know the story. Hurst was not expected to be the team's main player when England's star striker, Jimmy Greaves, returned from injury for the 1966 final. But coach Sir Alf Ramsey still decided to let Hurst play, and this became history. The West Ham striker scored a stunning hat-trick as England won their first world championship on home soil. Hurst was not the most talented player in that squad, but scoring a hat-trick in the final was a legendary feat that can only be matched by Kylian Mbappe four years ago in Qatar.

9. Cafu, Brazil, World Cup champion 1994 & 2002
Cafu is the only person to participate in three consecutive World Cup finals. The defender played in the 1994 final when Brazil beat Italy on penalties, was runner-up in 1998 and then lifted the trophy as captain in Japan and South Korea in 2002. Cafu is a World Cup legend, with only Klose making more than 16 appearances across four tournaments.

8. Paolo Rossi, Italy, 1982 World Cup champion
Rossi's World Cup story began in the legendary match against Brazil. Rossi scored a hat-trick in that match and went on to score in the semi-finals and final, helping Italy win the title for the first time since 1938. With a total of six goals, he won the tournament's Golden Boot and Golden Ball awards.

7. Zinedine Zidane, France, 1998 World Cup champion
Zidane, the model of a multicultural team, led France to the 1998 World Cup championship. In the final, he scored two goals from corner kicks, helping France defeat Brazil. Zidane's image and the message "Merci, Zizou" are still imprinted in the minds of fans.

6. Kylian Mbappe, France, 2018 World Cup champion
Mbappe made a name for himself at the 2018 World Cup, becoming the youngest player to score in the final since Pele. In the 2022 final, he scored a hat-trick, even though his team lost to Argentina. Mbappe's future in World Cup tournaments is still very bright.

5. Franz Beckenbauer, West Germany, World Cup champion 1974 (and 1990 as coach)
Beckenbauer led West Germany to the 1974 World Cup title and then the 1990 championship as coach. He is known as a talented defensive player and one of the greatest figures in football history.

4. Lionel Messi, Argentina, 2022 World Cup champion
Messi had an emotional journey at the World Cup, especially after the defeat in the 2014 final. At Qatar 2022, he scored two goals in the final and contributed greatly to helping Argentina win the championship for the third time.

3. Ronaldo, Brazil, World Cup champion 1994 & 2002
Ronaldo is a story of resurrection. After not being able to play at the 1994 World Cup, he shined at the 2002 World Cup with eight goals, including two in the final. He is one of the greatest players of all time.

2. Diego Maradona, Argentina, 1986 World Cup champion
Maradona stood out with memorable performances at the 1986 World Cup. Two goals in the quarter-final against England, especially the "Hand of God" goal, helped him become a football icon. Maradona led Argentina to victory with five goals and five assists.

1. Pele, Brazil, World Cup champion 1958, 1962 & 1970
Pele is the biggest legend of the World Cup with three championships. He scored in the 1958 semi-finals and final, becoming the youngest player to score at the tournament. He contributed significantly to Brazil's success in three different decades.