List of the best World Cup players of all time, who is your idol?

The World Cup has always been a stage for global footballers to etch their names into the golden history of the sport. From generation to generation, this grand tournament has produced extraordinary talents whose actions are always remembered and inspire millions of fans worldwide.

The greatness of these legends is not only measured by the trophies they won, but also by the magical moments they created on the pitch. Let's revisit the great stories of these maestros of the green field and also get a glimpse of which legends are ready to shake up the 2026 World Cup stage.

Legends of the pitch on the world stage

1. Edson Arantes do Nascimento (Pelé)

First up is Pelé, the Brazilian football king who is the only player with three World Cup trophies, namely in 1958, 1962, and 1970. Quoting from the book titled Pelé: The Autobiography by Pelé himself, he made his debut at the age of 17 and immediately captivated the world with his exceptional dribbling skills and incredible sharpness in front of the opponent's goal.

2. Diego Maradona

Second is Diego Maradona, who captivated the world in the 1986 edition with Argentina through his 'Hand of God' goal and a spectacular solo run past five English players, which was later named Goal of the Century.

3. Zinedine Zidane

Next up is Zinedine Zidane, who successfully led France to victory in 1998 with his two deadly headers in the final against Brazil, and again led his country to the 2006 final with outstanding leadership in midfield.

4. Cristiano Ronaldo

The fourth is Cristiano Ronaldo from Portugal, known for his extraordinary work ethic, sharp goal-scoring instinct, and high consistency, which led him to set a record as the first player to score in five different World Cup editions from 2006 to 2022. The track record of these legendary figures proves that the World Cup always sets new standards of greatness throughout history. 

Besides these four legends, there is one more top World Cup player who is expected to still compete in 2026.

The maestro ready to shake up the 2026 World Cup

Among the ranks of the greatest players of all time, Lionel Messi is the greatest player who is expected to still compete in the 2026 World Cup tournament. After successfully cementing his status as the world's best player by leading Argentina to lift the trophy in Qatar in the 2022 edition, his presence in the United States, Canada, and Mexico is confirmed to be the main and most anticipated attraction. Citing a sports article from FIFA's official website, Messi's participation in the upcoming edition is not just about chasing a trophy, but also has the great potential to break the record for most appearances in the tournament's history.

Witnessing Messi's magical actions and other global stars compete in magnificent stadiums is certainly a big dream for every football fan in the country. Are you ready to meet your idol at the 2026 World Cup while bringing home official souvenirs without worrying about blowing your holiday budget?

Global enthusiasm for the FIFA World Cup 2026

The wave of fan support across various parts of the world exploded massively, setting a new record in terms of match ticket sales. Quoting from an official article on the world football governing body's website titled Over 500 Million Ticket Requests Received | World Cup 2026, hundreds of millions of applications from supporters in 211 FIFA member countries were recorded in a short period. 

Tips for getting merchandise official FIFA World Cup 2026

Realizing the dream of watching the tournament affordably while collecting official merchandise is now possible with the Honest Visa FIFA World Cup 2026™ Limited Edition Credit Card. According to the financial guide on Honest's official website, making international transactions much more economical, practical, and safe from foreign currency fluctuations by using a Visa-branded card. 

The Visa-branded card from Honest offers guaranteed smooth transactions at millions of global merchants, including in all host countries of the football competition.

Interestingly, this Honest credit card features reward points that give you the chance to get official FIFA World Cup 2026 merchandise for free. 

Through the credit card features which are transparent with no hidden fees, you can control your daily spending and apply instantly through the credit card app on your phone. Download the Honest App now via Google Play Store or Apple App Store to register and experience the convenience of paying bills with a credit card for your various daily needs. 

Maximize all these financial benefits and enjoy the best experience using the Honest credit card at the FIFA World Cup 2026 event.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):

1. How many countries are participating in the 2026 World Cup?

There are 48 national teams participating, an increase from the previous format which only had 32 teams.

2. Why is Diego Maradona's performance at the 1986 World Cup considered the best?

Because he almost single-handedly led Argentina to victory (a one-man show), including scoring the "Hand of God" goal and the greatest solo goal of all time against England in the quarter-finals.

3. Who is the only player to win two Golden Ball awards?

Lionel Messi, who was named Best Player of the Tournament at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and the 2022 edition in Qatar.

4. Why is Zinedine Zidane considered one of the best World Cup players despite being red-carded in 2006?

Zidane led France to victory in 1998 with two goals in the final and won the Golden Ball in 2006 after delivering a world-class performance throughout the tournament, before his iconic headbutt incident.

5. Who holds the record for appearances in 5 different World Cup editions?

Several great players have achieved this, including Antonio Carbajal (Mexico), Lothar Matthäus (Germany), Rafael Márquez (Mexico), Lionel Messi (Argentina), and Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal).