Fansided

The 30 best players in World Cup history

By James Dudko

Argentina's Diego Maradona in action during the 1986 World Cup semi-final match against Belgium. Argentina defeated Belgium 2-0. (Photo by Jean-Yves Ruszniewski/TempSport/Corbis/VCG via Getty Images)
Argentina's Diego Maradona in action during the 1986 World Cup semi-final match against Belgium. Argentina defeated Belgium 2-0. (Photo by Jean-Yves Ruszniewski/TempSport/Corbis/VCG via Getty Images) /
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BRAZIL – JULY 21: Brazil. The Uruguayan team before the World Cup finals. Uruguay won the match by 2-1. The team was composed of (from left to right) : VARELA (captain), MASPOLI, GONZALES M., TEJERA, GAMBETTA, ANDRADE, GHIGGIA, PEREZ, MIGUEZ, SCHIFFINO and MORAN. (Photo by Keystone-France/Gamma-Keystone via Getty Images)
BRAZIL – JULY 21: Brazil. The Uruguayan team before the World Cup finals. Uruguay won the match by 2-1. The team was composed of (from left to right) : VARELA (captain), MASPOLI, GONZALES M., TEJERA, GAMBETTA, ANDRADE, GHIGGIA, PEREZ, MIGUEZ, SCHIFFINO and MORAN. (Photo by Keystone-France/Gamma-Keystone via Getty Images) /

18. Juan Schiaffino, Uruguay

Platini may have been Europe’s Eagle eye, but Juan Schiaffino was the all-seeing artisan of South America. His speed of thought, unerring radar and designer’s flourish took Uruguay to the title in 1950.

La Celeste beat hosts Brazil 2-1 in the final to secure the most infamous upset in World Cup history. The result dropped an ominous curtain over the home nation for years.

For Schiaffino, 1950 was the springboard that launched him to the attention of a global audience. AC Milan eventually brought the forward to Italy, building some truly great teams around his class and flair for improvisation.

Schiaffino’s World Cup story wasn’t over yet, though, as he returned to the grand stage in 1954. This time Hungary proved too good in the last four, but Schiaffino had again made his presence known, scoring in a 4-2 quarterfinal win over England, after netting in the group to help beat Czechoslovakia.

As a cultured No. 10 who helped bring intelligence and flair to European audiences reared on brawn, snorting rage and reckless abandon, Schiaffino was years ahead of his time.

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