My All-Time World Cup’s Greatest Eleven

Everyone agrees that good players are few – but great players are rare. A good player who takes on additional responsibility and performs admirably under pressure can become a great player. The time has come for me to pick (in my opinion), the greates eleven ever to have played the FIFA World Cup.

I have included 1 goalkeeper, 4 defenders, 4 midfielders and 2 attackers in a classic 4-4-2 formation for my dream team. I have also included 1 defender, 1 midfielder, 1 striker and 1 goalkeeper as substitutes.

Note that the years mentioned in brackets do not refer to the years that the players appeared in the World Cup, but the years in which their performances atht ehWorld Cup have deemed them worthy to be a part of the all-time greatest squad.

1. Goalkeeper: Walter Zenga (Italy, 1990)

Though Barthez and Buffon conceded the least number goals ever when their countries have won the World Cup, Walter Zenga was responsible for the most number of minutes keeping clean sheets (517 minutes – 5 clean sheets).

2. Defense: Roberto Carlos (Brazil, 2002), Paolo Maldini(Italy, 1990), Franz Beckenbauer (Germany, 1966 and 1970) and Cafu (Brazil, 1998)

Roberto Carlos and Paolo Maldini on the same team? Well, I cannot seem to keep either of the left backs away from my list. Cafu’s inspirational play during Brazil’s run to the finals in 1998 makes him an automatic choice for any squad. And of course, who can forget Beckenbauer, the father of the libero, and his goalscoring antics from midfield and defense in the 1966 and 1970 World Cups. In fact, he dislocated his shoulder during the semi-finals against Italy in 1970, but  played on with his arm in a sling, in what has been dubbed The Game of the Century.

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3. Mid-field: Zico (Brazil, 1982), Zinedine Zidane (France, 1998 and 2006), Diego Maradona (Argentina, 1986) and Johann Cruyff (Netherlands, 1974)

Zico, often called the ‘White Pele’, had an amazing tournament in 1982, when he became known as one of the world’s best dribblers and finishers ever.

Zindeine Zidane’s inspirational form led the French to their World Cup glory at home in 1998. Again in 2006, the odds seemed to be stacked against the French, but sublime form from Zizou saw them reach the finals.

Who can forget Diego Maradona’s tournament in ‘86? The Hand of God, followed by the Goal of the Century put him on the pedestal of eternal greatness.

Johan Cruyff was one of the most devastating mid-fielders ever to have graces the football field. He is widely regarded as one the best players ever.

4. Forwards: Ronaldo (Brazil, 2002), Pele (Brazil, 1970)

Found it extremely difficult to pick only teo forwards. Ronaldo’s form in front of goal in 1998 and 2002 will always put him on any goalscorer’s list. And what more can be said about pele? The Black peral joins Ronaldo in an all-Brazilian attack.

5. Substitutes: Bobby Charlton (England, 1966), Romario (Brazil, 1994), Bobby Moore (England, 1966) and Gianluigi Buffon (Italy, 2006)

Of course, I have not been able to name so many other great players, and it feels like no single list can do justice to all of them. Readers are welcome to form their own opinions and discuss them.