Messi, Maradona or Pele? Ranking the 10 best World Cup legends

Selecting the 10 greatest footballers in World Cup history is a difficult task, considering the thousands of players who have participated in 22 editions of the most prestigious football tournament. BBC Sport has ranked the figures who have left the deepest mark on the competition, including legendary names such as Pele, Maradona, Ronaldo and Messi.

10. Sir Geoff Hurst (England)
The hero of the 1966 final, Hurst remains the only player to score a hat-trick in a World Cup final. He led England to their only world title in history, at Wembley.

9. Cafu (Brazil)
The legendary Brazilian defender is the only player to have played in three consecutive World Cup finals (1994, 1998 and 2002). He won two trophies and became a symbol of Brazil's resilience and success.

8. Paolo Rossi (Italy)
Italy's hero at the 1982 World Cup. After returning from a two-year suspension, Rossi scored six goals, won the tournament's Golden Boot and Golden Ball, and led Italy to the title.

7. Zinedine Zidane (France)
The architect of France's triumph in 1998. Zidane shone in the final against Brazil with two headed goals and became a symbol of a multicultural France. He will also be remembered for his famous incident with Materazzi in the 2006 final.

6. Kylian Mbappe (France)
Although still in the prime of his career, Mbappe has already made World Cup history. World champion in 2018 and author of a hat-trick in the 2022 final against Argentina, he is considered one of the greatest figures of the tournament.

5. Franz Beckenbauer (West Germany)
“Der Kaiser” won the World Cup as a player in 1974 and as a coach in 1990. He revolutionized the role of the defender and remains one of the most respected figures in world football.

4. Lionel Messi (Argentina)
After many efforts, Messi realized his big dream in Qatar 2022. With excellent performances throughout the tournament and two goals in the final against France, he led Argentina to its third world title.

3. Ronaldo (Brazil)
The Brazilian "phenomenon" has experienced difficult moments and spectacular comebacks. After the drama of the 1998 final and serious injuries, he came back strong in 2002, scoring eight goals and winning the World Cup.

2. Diego Maradona (Argentina)
The 1986 World Cup is considered by many to be the greatest individual performance in football history. Maradona made history with the famous "Hand of God" goal and one of the greatest goals of all time against England.

1. Pele (Brazil)
In first place is the great Brazilian legend. Pele is the only footballer to have won three World Cups (1958, 1962 and 1970). He burst onto the world stage at just 17 years old and remains the greatest symbol in the history of this competition.

According to the BBC, no one embodies the spirit and grandeur of the World Cup more than Pele, who continues to be considered the absolute legend of football's greatest tournament.