The 30 best players in World Cup history
By James Dudko
6. Gerd Muller, West Germany
Gerd Muller should be the first name you think of when considering the greatest goalscorers to ever lace up a pair of boots. If the World Cup is the best against the best, then Muller’s record of 14 goals in 13 appearances across two tournaments almost defies belief.
He scored an astonishing 10 times in helping West Germany claim the bronze medal in 1970. Consecutive hat-tricks against Bulgaria and Peru put his nation in the quarterfinal.
Muller proceeded to break English hearts in the last eight by netting the winner in extra time. A brace in the crazy 4-3 defeat to Italy completed Muller’s tournament for the ages.
He wasn’t as prolific on his own patch four years later, but Muller did at least save his goals for when it mattered most. He scored four times, including the winner in the final to leave Cruyff, Neeskens and the Netherlands fuming.
Nobody had a keener eye for goal than Muller. He always seemed to put the ball a fingernail’s length out of the reach of exasperated goalkeepers convinced they would finally deny him this time.
No has been as ruthless on the biggest stage as Germany’s deadliest marksman.