World cup Legends

WORLD CUP LEGENDS
JUST FONTAINE
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Fontaine set a
high standard
when he lit up the
World Cup of 1958,
scoring a mammoth
13 goals – a record that
stands to this day.
Making it even more
remarkable is the fact it was achieved over
six matches, so he was of to a lying start
before the group stage was out.
He continued his streak into the quarterinals
with two goals against Northern
Ireland. But although he scored against
France in the semis, they were knocked
out by Brazil, so Fontaine’s eforts only
saw his team earn third place. As a striker,
however, there were few of equal, which
makes it all the more sad that he never
played another World Cup – injury forced
him to retire in 1962.
PELÉ
46 Edson
Arantes do
Nascimento is, to
many minds, the
greatest footballer
to grace the World
Cup. Playing in
four tournaments,
he made his debut
in 1958 aged 17, and he competed in 1962,
1966 and, most notably, in 1970.
A proliic goalscorer, he had lightning
pace and immense poise. He played with
grace and could accurately shoot with great
power on both feet. Unlike some talents, he
worked with his teammates rather than as
an individual. He was stylish and eicient:
goalkeepers had little chance when he
rolled up to take a penalty.
It is no surprise, then, that he holds
the record for the most World Cup wins.
His irst tournament saw him score one
against Wales in the quarter inals, three
versus France in the semis and two in
the inal against Sweden. While he was
injured for most of 1962 and persistently
fouled through 1966, he accepted a call-up
in 1970, playing six games and scoring six
goals. Pelé really was the complete player.
Maradona’s goal against
England in 1986 is one of the
best in World Cup history
DIEGO MARADONA
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Ask any England fan to name a famous moment in World Cup football, and a good
number will point to the quarter-inal against Argentina in 1986. Having displayed
his incredible brilliance, he found himself heading towards goal, slipping past England’s Glenn
Hoddle with ease. His pass hit the foot of England’s Steve Hodge, sending it towards the penalty
area, at which point Maradona pounced – and hit it with his outside left hand. It thereafter
became known as the ‘Hand of God’, but Argentina’s captain Maradona was more than just
that moment.
When Maradona had the ball, crowds would lick their lips with anticipation. With his physical
strength, close ball control and jaw-dropping dribbling skills, he was able to score ive goals in
1986 and make ive further assists. In doing so, he helped Argentina win the tournament that
year before putting in another glorious set of displays four years later when he was named Italia
’90’s third best player. So while he marred his reputation by being sent home in 1994 for testing
positive for ephedrine, there was a sense that his job was done, and his legendary status secured,
making his nickname ‘El Pibe de Oro’ (‘The Golden Boy’) very apt.
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