As the countdown to the 2026 World Cup (June 11–July 19) begins, we revisit the iconic players whose brilliance and leadership inspired generations of footballers
In the 96-year history of the World Cup, an array of gifted players left their mark on the big stage. While countless players delivered outstanding performances for their teams in myriad pulsating battles, few stood out for their breathtaking skills, incredible vision, inspirational leadership qualities, and the rare ability to transcend sporting boundaries and become cultural icons.
Now, with less than 10 days to go for the start of the 2026 edition of the World Cup in the US, Canada and Mexico, let’s look back in history and identify the five greatest players of the world’s biggest sporting spectacle.
FIVE: Lionel Messi (Argentina)
Dubbed the New Maradona after he burst onto the big stage as a teenager with FC Barcelona, Messi made his countrymen dream by guiding Argentina to the 2005 Under-20 World Cup triumph. But Messi suffered heartbreaks with the senior Argentina team ever since his debut at the 2006 World Cup ended as an unused substitute in the quarterfinal defeat to Germany. There were more disappointments in 2010 before Messi and Argentina came tantalisingly close to ending their World Cup drought in 2014 only to lose to Germany 1-0 in the final. After a humiliating second-round exit in 2018 following a big defeat to France, the eventual champions, Messi finally had his moment four years later in Qatar. At 35, he was no longer the force of nature, but still delivered a string of superlative performances throughout the tournament. France were the favourites in the final, but Argentina stunned them with a sumptuous display of attacking football to take a 2-0 lead with Messi at the heart of every move. France, inspired by a Kylian Mbappe hat-trick, staged a stunning fightback, taking the final to penalties against all odds. Messi scored twice in the final and also played a big role in the team’s delightful second goal in the first half. In the penalties, Emiliano Martinez was heroic for Argentina in goal as Messi finally got his hands on the elusive trophy at the end of what was the most dramatic World Cup final of all time. He was named player of the tournament for his seven goals and three assists as Argentina overcame a shock 2-1 defeat to Saudi Arabia in the opening game to end their 36-year wait for their third World Cup.
FOUR: Ronaldo (Brazil)
Those who saw Ronaldo play in the Brazilian league before he left for Europe as a teenager still believe the striker with the toothy grin could have eclipsed Pele if not for injuries. Ronaldo was a squad player without a single appearance when a Romario-inspired Brazil won their fourth World Cup in 1994. Ronaldo entered the 1998 World Cup in France as Brazil’s star man. And he turned out to be an absolute terror for the rival defenders, guiding Brazil to the final with four goals and three assists. But Brazil were outplayed by hosts France in the final, with Ronaldo seemingly struggling with fitness issues. Zinedine Zidane stole the thunder with two goals in an emphatic 3-0 win for the home team in Paris. Ronaldo continued to struggle with injuries following the 1998 World Cup setback. The next three years saw Ronaldo battle self-doubt with constant knee issues forcing him to spend more time in the hospital than on the ground. But miraculously, he was back in shape just in time for the 2002 World Cup for a struggling Brazil team. France and Argentina were the big favourites, but Ronaldo rose like phoenix, scripting a stunning World Cup triumph for Brazil with eight goals, including two in the final against Germany.
THREE: Johan Cruyff (Netherlands)
It may sound absurd to include a player in the list of World Cup Goats who played only one edition of the big event in 1974. And one who never won the World Cup. But Johan Cruyff was not just any other footballer. For many a pundit, his impact on the game transcends the mere goals and assists on the field. Famous for the ‘Cruyff Turn’ which he invented — faking a shot against the defender before dragging the ball behind his other foot — Cruyff was also the pioneer of Total Football mastered by Ajax at club level. The beating heart of the Amsterdam club, Cruyff led the footballing revolution in which any outfield player can switch from a defensive role to an offensive one in the same game to bamboozle the opponents. That style of play earned Ajax three back-to-back European titles (1971-1972-1973). Playing with the same Ajax spirit and with Cruyff as the talisman, the Netherlands dazzled in the 1974 World Cup in West Germany. They destroyed every opponent on their way to the final. But despite conceding the first goal within two minutes following a marauding run from Cruyff, hosts West Germany spoiled the Dutch party with a stirring come-from-behind (2-1) victory in the final. The Germans took the trophy, but the Cruyff-inspired Dutch team still lives in the hearts of every football fan.
TWO: Pele (Brazil)
Pele arrived at the 1958 World Cup in Sweden as a 17-year-old prodigy. Brazil had a star-studded team that was desperate to end its years of heartbreak in the World Cup. With Garrincha, Didi, Vava and Mario Zagallo, Brazil were the overwhelming favourites to win the title in Sweden eight years after their shock defeat to Uruguay in the 1950 title decider on home soil. Pele was barely nine years old in 1950 when Uruguay broke every Brazilian heart. But in 1958, Pele turned out to be his football-obsessed nation’s messiah, scoring a hat trick in the semifinal against France and two goals in the final against Sweden. No teenager has ever made such an impact on the biggest stage since Pele, who was crying inconsolably after Brazil won the final 5-2 against Sweden. Four years later in Chile, Pele was injured in the second group stage game and played no further part in the tournament. Brazil still went on to win the tournament with Garrincha as the star of the show. After the setback in 1966, Brazil returned with a star-studded squad for the 1970 World Cup in Mexico with Pele as the fulcrum. They played beautiful football throughout the tournament, with an emphatic 4-1 win over Italy in the final being the icing on the cake. While Brazil was teeming with world-class talent, Pele was named the player of the tournament for his four goals and six assists, cementing his status as the greatest player in the world.
ONE: Diego Maradona (Argentina)
There would always be those who would argue for Pele as the greatest player of all time. With three World Cup titles, it’s hard to argue against Pele’s status. But Pele played in Brazil teams that featured world-class talent across the field. And they proved they could win the big trophy even without Pele. After the star striker was injured in the second group-stage game of the 1962 World Cup, Brazil still emerged champions on the back of the magical Garrincha, who was unstoppable from the wing. Diego Maradona had no such luxury. It was either him carrying the team on his shoulders or facing the prospect of failure. At the 1982 World Cup, Maradona’s first, the curly-haired genius faced brutal fouls from opposition defenders who literally kicked him out of the tournament as Argentina suffered a second-round exit. It was at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico that Maradona proved unstoppable. The cynical fouls from defenders were still flying on poor pitches, but Maradona was sublime. By now he was too strong and too skilful for the best of the defenders as he carried a modest Argentina team to a magical triumph. With five goals and five assists, he was the player of the tournament as Argentina won their second World Cup title with a thrilling 3-2 in the final against West Germany. However, the defining moment came in the quarterfinal against England, a few years after the two countries were locked in a deadly war, with Argentina suffering a humiliating defeat. But at the World Cup in 1986, it was Argentina which won the football battle, with Maradona delivering the greatest individual performance of all time. His ‘Hand of God’ goal would never be allowed in the VAR (video assistant referee) era. But his second goal, when he dribbled past five English players after starting the move with a delightful turn and control from his own half, became the most iconic moment in the history of football. Four years later at Italia 1990, his movement was hampered by a swollen ankle, yet he managed to guide a very poor Argentina team to a runners-up finish.
