The best players on the planet are about to gather in Qatar for World Cup 2022 and the excitement around the world is ramping up day by day.
There are some mouth-watering match ups in the opening rounds of games and a first chance to see the biggest stars in world football in action. The current crop of superstars includes Argentina talisman Lionel Messi, Portugal’s maestro Cristiano Ronaldo, France phenomenon Kylian Mbappe and Belgium’s magician Kevin De Bruyne. But when we look for the very best World Cup players of all time we must glance a little further behind to find those legendary names which will be forever written in World Cup folklore.
The 1970s saw a battle between European heavyweights West Germany and Holland and the 1974 final pitched together German centre back Franz Beckenbauer and Holland’s brilliant Johan Cruyff. In the final the Germans came out on top as another German legend, Gerd Muller, scored the winner in a 2-1 classic. Beckenbauer, nicknamed Der Kaiser, oozed class as he controlled the West Germany back four and strolled out of defence to launch and orchestrate the German attacks, scoring five goals along the way.
Both Beckenbauer and Cruyff are close to the SBOTOP top three players of all time but it is the South American continent which provides the very best.
Ronaldo: Brazil 1994 – 2011
The current World Cup 2022 betting odds have installed Brazil as favourites to lift the trophy and that would mean a first Samba triumph in 20 years. The Selecao last lifted the World Cup in 2002 as the great Ronaldo scored a double in a 2-0 victory over Germany. Starring in front of the skilful duo of Ronaldinho and Rivaldo, the powerful, fast and brilliant striker made up the legendary Three Rs, and fired Brazil to glory with two goals in a 2-0 final victory over Germany, picking up the Golden Boot in the process.
Five years earlier Ronaldo burst onto the scene, winning the 1997 Ballon D’Or at the age of 21, and he represented Barcelona, Inter Milan and Real Madrid in a stellar domestic career. He ended up with 62 goals in 98 matches for Brazil, and Ronaldo will be forever remembered for his 2002 man-of-the-match performance.
Diego Maradona: Argentina 1977 -1994
Maradona was a bustling Number 10 with a taste for a fight but the most sublime skills in both feet, and he will be revered for decades to come in both Argentina and Naples.
This year Argentina’s hopes are riding on the shoulders of Lionel Messi but, in 1986, the magnificent Maradona ruled the world as he totally dominated the World Cup in Mexico. A legend as a Scudetto winner with Napoli, Argentina fans will always remember his stunning performance in the quarter final 2-1 victory over England. Three Lions fans will never forgive him for his first, the ‘Hand of God’ goal which he punched into the net with his hand, but the world stood and watched one the best goals of all time as he dribbled past five England players before firing home. That moment of genius was voted the Goal of the Century by FIFA voters in 2002 and it has never been bettered.
Pele: Brazil 1957-1971
The only player to win three World Cups, you won’t find too many football fans disagreeing that Pele was the greatest player of all time. As a 17 year old he dominated the 1958 World Cup, was part of the team which defended the title in 1962 and he won the Golden Ball as the Selecao triumphed again in 1970, beating Italy 4-1 in the final. Pele was involved in over 50 per cent of Brazil’s goals in that tournament as they played a brand of football which transformed the sport, and the name of Pele will always be synonymous with ‘the beautiful game.’
With 77 goals in 92 games for Brazil, Pele was the Samba Boys’ pin-up for 15 years and he had everything, superb vision and passing ability, mesmerising dribbling skills and he was a lethal finisher. In 1999 Pele was named Athlete of the Century by the International Olympic Committee, and in 2000 he was voted the World Player of the Century by the International Federation of Football History and Statistics.
The great Johan Cruyff said of Pele: “He was the only footballer who surpassed the boundaries of logic.” There will be some pretty fine players making the World Cup 2022 highlights this year, but to have Ronaldo, Maradona and Pele still in the game- now that would be special.
●●●
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE FOOTBALL STORIES & ODDS
Stay updated with everything sports and betting.
Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
