The 30 best players in World Cup history
By James Dudko
4. Diego Maradona, Argentina
Perhaps no player has ever left a more lasting impression on World Cup lore than Diego Maradona. Without equal at his peak, the maverick No. 10 played in four tournaments, but only truly showed his magic in 1986.
Maradona was the catalyst in Mexico, unplayable from start to finish. He scored five goals and created as many more.
Among his more famous contributions was the lengthy dribble through England’s midfield and defense to win an epic quarterfinal. The goal, maybe the greatest in the competition’s history, came after the infamous “Hand of God” incident when Maradona illegally turned the ball over England goalkeeper Peter Shilton.
Shifting from infamous to famous and back again was a common theme throughout Maradona’s World Cup journey. His dismissal from USA ’94 for a failed drugs test was a painful contrast to the brilliance of ’86.
In between, Maradona reached another final with La Albiceleste at Italia ’90. Maradona played, but lacked his familiar power and elegance running with the ball as injuries had taken their toll.
For all the negatives, there were few better sights on a soccer pitch than Maradona taking on World Cup opponents with speed and trickery. No player since has owned a single tournament the way he did in Mexico.