The Greatest World Cup Campaigns from Individual Players
The greatest show on earth is getting underway, treating us all to a feast of football over the next month. While some fans have reservations about this World Cup, notably the scale of the tournament, it will likely warm up as the competition progresses, and we will undoubtedly be treated to some iconic performances.Performing in a World Cup is one of the best ways to cement your legend as a player. You can do it for your club, but to become the greatest, you need to do it at a World Cup. Below, we pick out six of the best campaigns from individuals, starting with the one that many consider to be the best of all time.
1. Diego Maradona 1986
There's basically no comparison. Mexico '86 was El Diego's World Cup, and deservedly so. There are moments set in history - the Hand of God goal against England, the wonder goal that followed, the iconic photo of terrorizing the Belgian defence - but every moment of this tournament seemed to be framed by him. And he delivered. He was far and away the best player. It has become a common misconception that the 86 Argentina team was a poor one aside from Maradona - they were second favourites in the pre-tournament World Cup betting odds - but they wouldn't have won it without him.2. Just Fontaine 1958
Most of us weren't alive when Fontaine's record goal-scoring World Cup took place, so he does tend to get overlooked when discussing these imperious performances. Yet, you simply can't ignore the 13 goals in just six matches. Yes, football was different back then, but we don't always need to frame things in context. Fontaine's campaign was great then, and it is still great today.
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3. Roberto Baggio 1994
Probably the first slightly controversial inclusion in this list. Romario was crowned the Golden Ball winner of the 1994 World Cup, with Baggio runner-up, but the Italian was arguably the more influential player across the tournament, carrying an average Italy side to the Final. It's such a pity that the overriding memory is that glaring penalty miss in the Final. How Italy could do with a player of his talents today.4. Fabio Cannavaro 2006
Zinedine Zidane won the Golden Ball in 2006, not surprising since his performance was arguably even better than 1998. Yet, Italy went through the entire tournament conceding two goals - one was an OG against the United States in the Group stage, the second Zidane's penalty in the Final. Marco Materazzi deserves a lot of credit too (though he won't get much from Zidane or the French fans), but the captain was imperious in shutting the door en route to Italy's fourth World Cup win.5. Johan Cruyff 1974
If you want to see something special in footballing terms, go back and watch the Netherlands' 2-0 victory over Brazil at the 1974 World Cup. The game, which sealed the Netherlands' place in the Final, was a passing-of-the-torch moment, as the great Brazil team, which still contained players like Jairzinho and Rivelino were outclassed and bamboozled by "total football." Cruyff was at the heart of it, of course, as he was in every other game in the tournament.
6. Pele 1970
Some would argue that a teenage Pele's 1958 performance was better, but there was something a little more satisfying about the older, wiser Pele leading the great Brazil team of 1970. He was master of all around him and you could actually compile a list of all-time World Cup moments just from Pele in this single campaign - the run around against the Uruguayan goalkeeper, the Gordon Banks save, the 50-yard lob, the celebration with Jairzinho, the assist for Carlos Alberto in 'that' famous team goal.Some honorable mentions: There are certainly many others that warrant a mention, and who you could argue deserve to be in the list above. They include: Paolo Rossi 1982, Lothar Matthaus 1990, Gerd Muller 1974, Garrincha 1958, Eusebio 1966, Bobby Charlton 1966, Lionel Messi 2014 and 2022, Zinedine Zidane 2006, and Ronaldo Nazario 2002.