FIFA World Cup: The All Time Best XI
Over the years the FIFA World Cup has produced some remarkable sportsmen. This is a compilation of the all time best players even to have set foot on the fields of international football, in their respective positions.
At the goal keeping position, a player needs to be confident at handling the ball and organizing the defense. One player who performed this task to perfection was the English goalkeeper Gordon Banks. Banks made one of the most spectacular saves in world cup history when he saved Pele’s goal bound header during the Brazil versus England group stage match in 1970. The save has been called the best goal keeping save of all time.
In the center of defense, the German legend Libero Franz Beckenbauer deserves a spot. He lifted the World Cup with West Germany in 1974 and then repeated the feat as a manager of the German national team in 1990. Beckenbauer is known for his uncanny defensive skills and remarkable stamina.
Beckenbauer’s partner in defense has to be his 1966 World Cup final counterpart Bobby Moore, Moore who led England to their only world cup final victory in 1966 is widely regarded as one of the best defenders ever to play the game. Moore’s tackle on Jarzinho during the 1970 World Cup group stage match is considered by many as the most perfect tackle ever made in the history of football.
At the right back spot, Brazilian defender Cafu takes preference over other greats of the game. Cafu who was known for his unending endurance levels was often jokingly referred to as a person who has four lungs. His defensive capabilities were remarkable but his true strength lied in providing support for the Brazilian attack. Cafu led Brazil to the 2002 World Cup final which they won convincingly by beating Germany.
The best left back in the history of FIFA World Cup competitions has to be Paulo Maldini. One of the most talented defenders ever to play the game, Maldini is one of the few select greats who have never won the FIFA World Cup. He captained the Italian team which reached the finals of the 1994 FIFA World Cup, only to lose to Brazil on penalties.
For the right wing position, the best player has to be Brazil’s Jarzinho who scored in every match of the FIFA World Cup of 1970. Jarzinho was renowned for his blinding pace with the ball and amazing ability to dribble through packets of players. He was the typical Brazilian footballer.
For the attacking midfielder’s position, there is only one truly suitable legend i.e. Zinedine Zidane. Zidane scored a hatrick in the FIFA World Cup final of 1998 for France, when they went up against Brazil. He then featured again for France as their captain during the FIFA World Cup tournament of 2006, where he led the team to their second World Cup final appearance. Zidane was sent off during the match after a controversial head butt on the Italian defender Marco Materazzi. Zidane is widely regarded by many as the greatest midfielder ever to play the game.
In the central midfield position there was no one better than the Brazilian playmaker Gerson. Gerson was part of the Brazilian world cup winning side in 1970. The creative midfielder was the brain behind all he attacking moves that the Brazilian team generated. His influence on the game because of his passing ability and vision was crucial.
The best left winger ever to play in FIFA World Cup competitions was Garrincha. He was part of the Brazilian World Cup winning sides of 1958 and 1962 FIFA World Cups. Garrincha had to overcome tremendous odds to become a professional footballer because he was born with twisted legs and a de-shaped spine. Pele himself paid tribute to the winger by saying that his performances were phenomenal and crucial to Brazil’s success during both the World Cups.
The first striker to feature in this all-time XI list has to be Diego Maradona from Argentina. A player of an extremely short height, Maradona was one of the few players in the history of World Cup history who made a world cup tournament his own play ground. In the 1986 World Cup, he led his team to championship glory. He also played in the final of the 1990 World Cup but Argentina lost that match to Germany by a single goal. Maradona had a low center of gravity which helped him get past defenders with ease.
The last but certainly not the least in this all time XI list is the legendary Pele. The Brazilian striker was the youngest player ever to score in a World Cup tournament and win it as well. He was just 17 years old when Brazil won the World Cup in 1958. He played in the 1970 World Cup final as well and Brazil won that competition too. Pele was voted the best player of the century by football fans through FIFA polling. Known for his extensive dribbling ability, pace, heading and strength on the ball, Pele is an all time great.
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