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Legends of the ball: Top footballers in FIFA World Cup history

Updated On: 04 June, 2018 04:51 PM IST |

The most coveted trophy in football - FIFA World Cup - is all set to begin on 14 June 2018. Football fans will have their eyes on the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Neymar, Mohamed Salah, Harry Kane and other such stars. We list out 16 football greats who made an impact in the world's greatest sporting event

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Pele (Brazil): Brazilian legend Edson Arantes do Nascimento, better known as 'Pele' regarded by many experts to be the best player of all time. He won three FIFA World Cups in 1958, 1962 and 1970 playing for Brazil. In 92 appearances for Brazil, Pele who played as a forward, scored 77 goals

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Pele (Brazil): Brazilian legend Edson Arantes do Nascimento, better known as 'Pele' regarded by many experts to be the best player of all time. He won three FIFA World Cups in 1958, 1962 and 1970 playing for Brazil. In 92 appearances for Brazil, Pele who played as a forward, scored 77 goals

Pele (Brazil): Brazilian legend Edson Arantes do Nascimento, better known as 'Pele' regarded by many experts to be the best player of all time. He won three FIFA World Cups in 1958, 1962 and 1970 playing for Brazil. In 92 appearances for Brazil, Pele who played as a forward, scored 77 goals

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Pele (Brazil): Brazilian legend Edson Arantes do Nascimento, better known as 'Pele' regarded by many experts to be the best player of all time. He won three FIFA World Cups in 1958, 1962 and 1970 playing for Brazil. In 92 appearances for Brazil, Pele who played as a forward, scored 77 goals

Diego Maradona: Argentina's legendary football player Diego Maradona, like Pele, is also considered as the greatest football player of all times. Maradona played in four World Cups and led Argentina to victory over West Germany in the final of the 1986 world cup. He was voted as the tournament's best player. Maradona played 91 times for Argentina and scored 34 goals

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Diego Maradona: Argentina's legendary football player Diego Maradona, like Pele, is also considered as the greatest football player of all times. Maradona played in four World Cups and led Argentina to victory over West Germany in the final of the 1986 world cup. He was voted as the tournament's best player. Maradona played 91 times for Argentina and scored 34 goals

Diego Maradona: Argentina's legendary football player Diego Maradona, like Pele, is also considered as the greatest football player of all times. Maradona played in four World Cups and led Argentina to victory over West Germany in the final of the 1986 world cup. He was voted as the tournament's best player. Maradona played 91 times for Argentina and scored 34 goals

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Diego Maradona: Argentina's legendary football player Diego Maradona, like Pele, is also considered as the greatest football player of all times. Maradona played in four World Cups and led Argentina to victory over West Germany in the final of the 1986 world cup. He was voted as the tournament's best player. Maradona played 91 times for Argentina and scored 34 goals

Zinedine Zidane (France): Zidane scored twice in the final of the 1998 FIFA World Cup against Brazil to help France win their maiden World Cup. Zidane played as an attacking midfielder and has been described as one of the greatest players in the history of the game. He played 108 times for France and scored 31 goals

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Zinedine Zidane (France): Zidane scored twice in the final of the 1998 FIFA World Cup against Brazil to help France win their maiden World Cup. Zidane played as an attacking midfielder and has been described as one of the greatest players in the history of the game. He played 108 times for France and scored 31 goals

Zinedine Zidane (France): Zidane scored twice in the final of the 1998 FIFA World Cup against Brazil to help France win their maiden World Cup. Zidane played as an attacking midfielder and has been described as one of the greatest players in the history of the game. He played 108 times for France and scored 31 goals

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Zinedine Zidane (France): Zidane scored twice in the final of the 1998 FIFA World Cup against Brazil to help France win their maiden World Cup. Zidane played as an attacking midfielder and has been described as one of the greatest players in the history of the game. He played 108 times for France and scored 31 goals

Miroslav Klose (Germany): The former Germany striker, who recently retired, is the all-time leading goal scorer in FIFA World Cup with 16 goals. He has been part of the 2014 World Cup winning team and is also the top goalscorer for his national team. Germany have never lost a match in which Klose has scored. (Pic/ AFP)

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Miroslav Klose (Germany): The former Germany striker, who recently retired, is the all-time leading goal scorer in FIFA World Cup with 16 goals. He has been part of the 2014 World Cup winning team and is also the top goalscorer for his national team. Germany have never lost a match in which Klose has scored. (Pic/ AFP)

Miroslav Klose (Germany): The former Germany striker, who recently retired, is the all-time leading goal scorer in FIFA World Cup with 16 goals. He has been part of the 2014 World Cup winning team and is also the top goalscorer for his national team. Germany have never lost a match in which Klose has scored. (Pic/ AFP)

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Miroslav Klose (Germany): The former Germany striker, who recently retired, is the all-time leading goal scorer in FIFA World Cup with 16 goals. He has been part of the 2014 World Cup winning team and is also the top goalscorer for his national team. Germany have never lost a match in which Klose has scored. (Pic/ AFP)

Ronaldo (Brazil): Ronaldo Luis Nazario de Lima more familiar as Ronaldo, was considered by experts and fans to be one of the greatest strikers of all time. Ronaldo led Brazil to their record fifth World Cup triumph in the 2002 edition, he also won the Golden Shoe as top scorer with eight goals. Ronaldo played for Brazil in 98 matches, scoring 62 goals, and is the second highest goalscorer for his national team

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Ronaldo (Brazil): Ronaldo Luis Nazario de Lima more familiar as Ronaldo, was considered by experts and fans to be one of the greatest strikers of all time. Ronaldo led Brazil to their record fifth World Cup triumph in the 2002 edition, he also won the Golden Shoe as top scorer with eight goals. Ronaldo played for Brazil in 98 matches, scoring 62 goals, and is the second highest goalscorer for his national team

Ronaldo (Brazil): Ronaldo Luis Nazario de Lima more familiar as Ronaldo, was considered by experts and fans to be one of the greatest strikers of all time. Ronaldo led Brazil to their record fifth World Cup triumph in the 2002 edition, he also won the Golden Shoe as top scorer with eight goals. Ronaldo played for Brazil in 98 matches, scoring 62 goals, and is the second highest goalscorer for his national team

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Ronaldo (Brazil): Ronaldo Luis Nazario de Lima more familiar as Ronaldo, was considered by experts and fans to be one of the greatest strikers of all time. Ronaldo led Brazil to their record fifth World Cup triumph in the 2002 edition, he also won the Golden Shoe as top scorer with eight goals. Ronaldo played for Brazil in 98 matches, scoring 62 goals, and is the second highest goalscorer for his national team

Gerd Muller (Germany): The Germany football legend is known to be a prolific forward and efficient player. He has scored 68 goals in his 62 appearances for his team. He stands third in the list of FIFA World Cup's leading goal scorers. (Pic/ AFP)

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Gerd Muller (Germany): The Germany football legend is known to be a prolific forward and efficient player. He has scored 68 goals in his 62 appearances for his team. He stands third in the list of FIFA World Cup's leading goal scorers. (Pic/ AFP)

Gerd Muller (Germany): The Germany football legend is known to be a prolific forward and efficient player. He has scored 68 goals in his 62 appearances for his team. He stands third in the list of FIFA World Cup's leading goal scorers. (Pic/ AFP)

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Gerd Muller (Germany): The Germany football legend is known to be a prolific forward and efficient player. He has scored 68 goals in his 62 appearances for his team. He stands third in the list of FIFA World Cup's leading goal scorers. (Pic/ AFP)

Franz Beckenbauer (Germany): Soccer star Franz Beckenbauer was captain of West Germany that beat Holland 2-1 to win the 1974 World Cup. Beckenbauer played in three FIFA World Cups and scored 14 goals in 103 appearances for West Germany

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Franz Beckenbauer (Germany): Soccer star Franz Beckenbauer was captain of West Germany that beat Holland 2-1 to win the 1974 World Cup. Beckenbauer played in three FIFA World Cups and scored 14 goals in 103 appearances for West Germany

Franz Beckenbauer (Germany): Soccer star Franz Beckenbauer was captain of West Germany that beat Holland 2-1 to win the 1974 World Cup. Beckenbauer played in three FIFA World Cups and scored 14 goals in 103 appearances for West Germany

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Franz Beckenbauer (Germany): Soccer star Franz Beckenbauer was captain of West Germany that beat Holland 2-1 to win the 1974 World Cup. Beckenbauer played in three FIFA World Cups and scored 14 goals in 103 appearances for West Germany

Romario (Brazil): Brazilian striker Romario scored five goals in the tournament to help Brazil win the 1994 FIFA World Cup. Regarded as one of the greatest strikers of all time, Romario scored 55 goals in 70 appearances for Brazil

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Romario (Brazil): Brazilian striker Romario scored five goals in the tournament to help Brazil win the 1994 FIFA World Cup. Regarded as one of the greatest strikers of all time, Romario scored 55 goals in 70 appearances for Brazil

Romario (Brazil): Brazilian striker Romario scored five goals in the tournament to help Brazil win the 1994 FIFA World Cup. Regarded as one of the greatest strikers of all time, Romario scored 55 goals in 70 appearances for Brazil

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Romario (Brazil): Brazilian striker Romario scored five goals in the tournament to help Brazil win the 1994 FIFA World Cup. Regarded as one of the greatest strikers of all time, Romario scored 55 goals in 70 appearances for Brazil

Bobby Moore (England): He was captain of the England team that won the 1966 World Cup. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest defenders of all time. He won a total of 108 caps for England and scores two goals

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Bobby Moore (England): He was captain of the England team that won the 1966 World Cup. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest defenders of all time. He won a total of 108 caps for England and scores two goals

Bobby Moore (England): He was captain of the England team that won the 1966 World Cup. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest defenders of all time. He won a total of 108 caps for England and scores two goals

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Bobby Moore (England): He was captain of the England team that won the 1966 World Cup. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest defenders of all time. He won a total of 108 caps for England and scores two goals

Roger Milla (Cameroon): The forward made a major impact in the 1990 World Cup in Italy. Milla scored four goals in the tournament to help Cameroon become the first African team to reach the World Cup quarterfinals. He played in three World Cups and at the age of 42, became the oldest goalscorer in World Cup history by scoring a goal in the 1994 FIFA World Cup. In 102 appearances for Cameroon, he scored 28 goals

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Roger Milla (Cameroon): The forward made a major impact in the 1990 World Cup in Italy. Milla scored four goals in the tournament to help Cameroon become the first African team to reach the World Cup quarterfinals. He played in three World Cups and at the age of 42, became the oldest goalscorer in World Cup history by scoring a goal in the 1994 FIFA World Cup. In 102 appearances for Cameroon, he scored 28 goals

Roger Milla (Cameroon): The forward made a major impact in the 1990 World Cup in Italy. Milla scored four goals in the tournament to help Cameroon become the first African team to reach the World Cup quarterfinals. He played in three World Cups and at the age of 42, became the oldest goalscorer in World Cup history by scoring a goal in the 1994 FIFA World Cup. In 102 appearances for Cameroon, he scored 28 goals

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Roger Milla (Cameroon): The forward made a major impact in the 1990 World Cup in Italy. Milla scored four goals in the tournament to help Cameroon become the first African team to reach the World Cup quarterfinals. He played in three World Cups and at the age of 42, became the oldest goalscorer in World Cup history by scoring a goal in the 1994 FIFA World Cup. In 102 appearances for Cameroon, he scored 28 goals

Johan Cruyff (Netherlands): Cruyff led the national team to the final of the 1974 FIFA World Cup and won the Golden Ball as player of the tournament. Widely regarded as one of the greatest players in football history, Cruyff scored 33 goals for the Netherlands in 48 appearances

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Johan Cruyff (Netherlands): Cruyff led the national team to the final of the 1974 FIFA World Cup and won the Golden Ball as player of the tournament. Widely regarded as one of the greatest players in football history, Cruyff scored 33 goals for the Netherlands in 48 appearances

Johan Cruyff (Netherlands): Cruyff led the national team to the final of the 1974 FIFA World Cup and won the Golden Ball as player of the tournament. Widely regarded as one of the greatest players in football history, Cruyff scored 33 goals for the Netherlands in 48 appearances

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Johan Cruyff (Netherlands): Cruyff led the national team to the final of the 1974 FIFA World Cup and won the Golden Ball as player of the tournament. Widely regarded as one of the greatest players in football history, Cruyff scored 33 goals for the Netherlands in 48 appearances

Ferenc Puskas (Hungary): Forward Ferenc Puskas, who was captain of the Hungarian national soccer team, won the Olympic title in Helsinki in 1952 and reached the final of the 1954 World Cup in Switzerland, losing to West Germany (2-3). He scored 84 goals in 85 international matches for Hungary

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Ferenc Puskas (Hungary): Forward Ferenc Puskas, who was captain of the Hungarian national soccer team, won the Olympic title in Helsinki in 1952 and reached the final of the 1954 World Cup in Switzerland, losing to West Germany (2-3). He scored 84 goals in 85 international matches for Hungary

Ferenc Puskas (Hungary): Forward Ferenc Puskas, who was captain of the Hungarian national soccer team, won the Olympic title in Helsinki in 1952 and reached the final of the 1954 World Cup in Switzerland, losing to West Germany (2-3). He scored 84 goals in 85 international matches for Hungary

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Ferenc Puskas (Hungary): Forward Ferenc Puskas, who was captain of the Hungarian national soccer team, won the Olympic title in Helsinki in 1952 and reached the final of the 1954 World Cup in Switzerland, losing to West Germany (2-3). He scored 84 goals in 85 international matches for Hungary

Jose Leandro Andrade (Uruguay): Defender Jose Leandro Andrade was instrumental in his country's triumph at the first World Cup in 1930. In 34 matches for Uruguay Andrade scores one goal

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Jose Leandro Andrade (Uruguay): Defender Jose Leandro Andrade was instrumental in his country's triumph at the first World Cup in 1930. In 34 matches for Uruguay Andrade scores one goal

Jose Leandro Andrade (Uruguay): Defender Jose Leandro Andrade was instrumental in his country's triumph at the first World Cup in 1930. In 34 matches for Uruguay Andrade scores one goal

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Jose Leandro Andrade (Uruguay): Defender Jose Leandro Andrade was instrumental in his country's triumph at the first World Cup in 1930. In 34 matches for Uruguay Andrade scores one goal

Garrincha (Brazil), The flamboyant footballer who played right winger and forward. At the 1962 World Cup, he led Brazil to victory, received the Golden Ball for the player of the tournament and the Golden Boot as leading goalscorer. He was capped 50 times for Brazil and he scored 12 goals

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Garrincha (Brazil), The flamboyant footballer who played right winger and forward. At the 1962 World Cup, he led Brazil to victory, received the Golden Ball for the player of the tournament and the Golden Boot as leading goalscorer. He was capped 50 times for Brazil and he scored 12 goals

Garrincha (Brazil), The flamboyant footballer who played right winger and forward. At the 1962 World Cup, he led Brazil to victory, received the Golden Ball for the player of the tournament and the Golden Boot as leading goalscorer. He was capped 50 times for Brazil and he scored 12 goals

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Garrincha (Brazil), The flamboyant footballer who played right winger and forward. At the 1962 World Cup, he led Brazil to victory, received the Golden Ball for the player of the tournament and the Golden Boot as leading goalscorer. He was capped 50 times for Brazil and he scored 12 goals

Paolo Rossi (Italy): In 1982, Rossi led Italy to the 1982 FIFA World Cup title, scoring six goals. He won the Golden Boot as top goalscorer, and the Golden Ball for the player of the tournament. Rossi scored 20 goals in 48 appearances for Italy

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Paolo Rossi (Italy): In 1982, Rossi led Italy to the 1982 FIFA World Cup title, scoring six goals. He won the Golden Boot as top goalscorer, and the Golden Ball for the player of the tournament. Rossi scored 20 goals in 48 appearances for Italy

Paolo Rossi (Italy): In 1982, Rossi led Italy to the 1982 FIFA World Cup title, scoring six goals. He won the Golden Boot as top goalscorer, and the Golden Ball for the player of the tournament. Rossi scored 20 goals in 48 appearances for Italy

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Paolo Rossi (Italy): In 1982, Rossi led Italy to the 1982 FIFA World Cup title, scoring six goals. He won the Golden Boot as top goalscorer, and the Golden Ball for the player of the tournament. Rossi scored 20 goals in 48 appearances for Italy

Lothar Matthaus (West Germany): Matthaus captained West Germany to victory in the 1990 FIFA World Cup. The German midfielder, who later in his career played as a sweeper, played in five FIFA World Cups and holds the record for the most World Cup matches played by a single player (25 games). In his 150 appearances (83 for West Germany) for Germany, he scored 23 goals

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Lothar Matthaus (West Germany): Matthaus captained West Germany to victory in the 1990 FIFA World Cup. The German midfielder, who later in his career played as a sweeper, played in five FIFA World Cups and holds the record for the most World Cup matches played by a single player (25 games). In his 150 appearances (83 for West Germany) for Germany, he scored 23 goals

Lothar Matthaus (West Germany): Matthaus captained West Germany to victory in the 1990 FIFA World Cup. The German midfielder, who later in his career played as a sweeper, played in five FIFA World Cups and holds the record for the most World Cup matches played by a single player (25 games). In his 150 appearances (83 for West Germany) for Germany, he scored 23 goals

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Lothar Matthaus (West Germany): Matthaus captained West Germany to victory in the 1990 FIFA World Cup. The German midfielder, who later in his career played as a sweeper, played in five FIFA World Cups and holds the record for the most World Cup matches played by a single player (25 games). In his 150 appearances (83 for West Germany) for Germany, he scored 23 goals

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