Greatest ever World Cup players
By Euan Burns
The World Cup has always been the greatest stage for many of the best players in football from nations that regularly qualify.
Fans are treated to stars that they may not see every week in their own domestic league and are left wanting to see those players join their club in the transfer window.
We at 90min are taking a look at some of the best players to ever impress during their time at World Cups.
Fabio Cannavaro
Fabio Cannavaro is one of the names synonymous with great defending and when he took over the Italy captaincy from Paolo Maldini in 2002, he showed that he was more than worthy of the honour. Surprisingly though, they were knocked out in the Round of 16 by South Korea.
In 2006, Cannavaro was the leader at the back for Gli Azzurri and he guided his team to glory in Germany. Italy conceded just two goals in the whole tournament, one was an own goal and another was a penalty.
Gary Lineker
He may not have ever won a World Cup but Gary Lineker put in some superb displays for England. He ended the 1986 World Cup in Mexico as the Golden Boot winner with six goals. There was a lot of talent at that tournament so it is deeply impressive to have finished on top.
He also put in some big performances in 1990 in Italy, the headline of which being his equaliser in the semi-final against West Germany.
Roger Milla
If you can become a hero purely from World Cup exploits, then Roger Milla did just that. He was called up by Cameroon for Italia 90 whilst playing on the Reunion island off the South-East coast of Africa.
He became one of the very first African footballers to really capture the imagination of the world as he led Cameroon further than any African team before. He scored four times in that tournament and became famed for his dancing celebration.
Ferenc Puskas
One of the names that will just never lose prominence; Ferenc Puskas was the talisman of a remarkable Hungary team in the fifties.
They lost just one game between 1950 and 1956 but that happened to be a World Cup final against West Germany when Puskas was forced to play on with an ankle injury. He scored 84 goals in 85 games for Hungary and is immortalised in football by the Puskas award.
Eusebio
Another name from years gone by which immediately evokes images of quality football in black and white.
He only played in one World Cup for Portugal, but he scored nine goals in 1966. That is a remarkable tally and one that earns him a place on the list. He was the Golden Boot winner and is regarded as one of the greatest strikers to ever play the game.
Diego Maradona
If you ask almost anyone what the most iconic image is in football, chances are they might say Diego Maradona being hoisted aloft his Argentina teammates with the World Cup in hand.
Maradona was more than vital for Argentina as they won the World Cup in 1986 and even regardless of silverware, he produced so many incredible moments on his own that he'd deserve to be here.
Jairzinho
If you score in every single game of a World Cup as your team lifts the trophy, then you're a World Cup legend.
Jairzinho was filling the boots of the retired Garrincha for the 1970 tournament and he oozed class and ability throughout, making him a key part of one the greatest World Cup teams ever seen.
Johan Cruyff
Much like Puskas and Eusebio, Johan Cruyff is a name that will always resonate with football fans for decades to come.
The Dutchman did not actually ever win a World Cup, but he was at the centre of some of the most thrilling and revolutionary football that has ever been played on the biggest stage. The Cruyff turn is still used by players of all ages and that is another reason why his legacy is so great.
Pele
Another name that almost goes without saying. The World Cup is where he built his reputation and legacy, first as a 17-year-old in 1958 where he scored a hat-trick in the semi-final and two goals in the final.
His next major influence at a World Cup came in 1970 where he bewitched the watching fans. He has 12 World Cup goals to his name and will forever be a legend of the tournament and the sport.
Miroslav Klose
The German striker may have been slightly underrated during his career on a club level, but Miroslav Klose was an opponent who struck fear into fans when he lined up for a World Cup match.
There was always an inevitability about him finding the back of the net. That is why he still holds the record for the most World Cup goals, at 16. He is also the only player to appear in four consecutive World Cup semi-finals.
Ronaldo
Ronaldo has got two World Cup medals to his name and it could very well have been three were it not for his mystery illness before the 1998 World Cup final.
In both that tournament and in 2002, he was viewed as one of the best players in the world and he played like it too. When people think of big World Cup goals, they picture Ronaldo in that baggy yellow shirt with a daft haircut.
Zinedine Zidane
Zizou has produced some of the most impressive World Cup moments ever whilst also producing perhaps the least impressive one. It is hard to look past the headbutt on Marco Materazzi in the 2006 final that saw him get sent off in his final ever game, but there is a lot more to his time.
Zidane was instrumental in the French victory on home soil in 1998 and he was superb in 2006 right up until the fateful act of madness. He will always be viewed as one of the most joyous players to watch.