The 30 best players in World Cup history
By James Dudko
10. Dino Zoff, Italy
There had to be at least one goalkeeper on the list, and it’s almost impossible to argue against it being Dino Zoff. The legendary Juventus stopper’s love affair with the World Cup took in four tournaments and a single trophy.
Zoff’s lone win came in 1982, when Italy hammered West Germany 3-1, despite the man between the posts being 40 years old. He had already skippered the Azzurri to fourth in ’78 and started all three group matches four years earlier in Germany.
Zoff’s World Cup journey began with making the substitutes bench for the 1970 final against Brazil. Italy were humbled 4-1, a deficit Zoff may have helped reduce, despite the Selecao‘s awesome affluence in attacking areas.
Fortunately for Zoff, he started his next final 12 years later. He had already gained a measure of revenge with some crucial late saves to deny Brazil in an epic quarterfinal clash.
Zoff was a mainstay for Italy into a second decade thanks to the way he marshaled one of the best defenses of the era.