World Cup Top Tens: Top Ten Players

by FOXSports.com

Updated: May 3, 2002, 3:50 PM EST

9) Jairzinho (Brazil) One of the best wingers of all time, Jairzinho was a constant threat to any defender. He scored lots of goals as well and scored in every game during Brazil's title run in 1970.

8) Michel Platini (France) The captain and inspirational leader of the great French teams of the 1980s. Platini was unfortunate not to play in a World Cup final, falling twice in the semifinals.

7) Ferenc Puskas (Hungary) Nicknamed "The galloping major", Puskas captained the Hungarian sides that went unbeaten for close to four years. That unbeaten run came to an end in the final of 1954.

6) Johan Cruyff (Holland) . He played only in one WC, but was the leader and captain for Holland's team in 1974. Cruyff was the linchpin of the Dutch "total football" style that was revolutionary in the 1970's.

5) Gerd Muller (West Germany) The most remarkable goals-per-game marksman in soccer history at the international level (62 games/68 goals). M?ller is the all time topscorer in World Cups with 14 goals. He led the Germans to victory on home soil in 1974, four years after he was the top scorer in Mexico '70.

4) Garrincha (Brazil) Known as "The Little Bird", Garrincha was a dominant figure in Brazil's first two World Cup-winning teams of 1958 and 1962. He played as a winger and embarrassed plenty of defenders in the '50s and '60s. Pel? said he would never have won three cups without Garrincha in the team.

3) Franz Beckenbauer (West Germany) The dominant player in the German defence for 10 years. He won gold, silver and bronze in his three World Cups - 1966, 1970 and 1974. Ranks as the best defender in soccer history. A born leader on and off the field, he also found success as a manager for the German team when he won in 1990.

2) Diego Maradona (Argentina) Definitely the best dribbler the world has ever seen. He was a world cup winner in 1986 and a runner-up in 1990. As an all-round footballer he is not overshadowed by anyone, not even Pel?, but the Brazilian's performance in the tournament puts him slightly in front.

1) Pele (Brazil) Looking at his track record in World Cups, it's hard to put anyone else than Pel? on top. He is the only man to win it three times and is among the all-time top scorers. A virtually complete footballer with impressive strength in the air despite his relatively small stature. Pele scored more than 1000 goals in his career.

Courtesy of our friends at World Cup Archive