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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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The victorious Italian team, back row, left to right, Gianpiero Combi, Luis Monti, Attilio Ferraris, Luigi Allemandi, Enrique Guaita, Giovanni Ferrari. Front row, Angelo Schiavio, Giuseppe Meazza, Eraldo Monzeglio, Luigi Bertolini, and Raimundo Orsi. (Photo by PA Images via Getty Images)
The victorious Italian team, back row, left to right, Gianpiero Combi, Luis Monti, Attilio Ferraris, Luigi Allemandi, Enrique Guaita, Giovanni Ferrari. Front row, Angelo Schiavio, Giuseppe Meazza, Eraldo Monzeglio, Luigi Bertolini, and Raimundo Orsi. (Photo by PA Images via Getty Images) /

22. Luis Monti, Argentina and Italy

Reaching a World Cup final with both Argentina and Italy means Luis Monti merits a place on any list of this kind. Few midfielders of the 1930s could match the strength, tenacity and authority of the man who scored Argentina’s first ever goal in the competition.

Those attributes made him the foundation of an Argentina squad good enough to reach the final of the first World Cup. Hosts Uruguay spoiled the day for Monti, but he made amends in 1934, this time representing Italy.

Monti helped his adopted nation make it all the way to the final on home soil. The Italians were then good enough to beat Czechoslovakia 2-1, even though they needed extra time to do it.

Italy owed Monti a big debt of gratitude for his contributions. He had once again led by example as an enforcer in the middle.

Powerfully built, Monti covered the pitch with gusto and took no prisoners when he waged a battle for possession. He was the elite midfield anchor long before the position became chic.

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