Sepp Maier
‘The Cat from Anzing’ kept four clean sheets to thrust Helmut Schon’s side into the final, before limiting the free-scoring Netherlands to just one – a penalty – as West Germany reigned supreme.
Daniel Passarella
The undersized centre-back was a rock as the Albiceleste won their first World Cup. Passarella remains the youngest captain to lift the trophy.
Paolo Rossi
The Tuscan hadn’t netted in almost 15 hours of international football. Then Rossi hit a hat-trick in a stunning upset of Brazil, both goals in victory over Poland and another as Italy downed West Germany in the decider.
Diego Maradona
‘El Pibe de Oro’ delivered arguably the greatest individual performance in the competition’s history against England in the quarter-finals, and arguably the greatest individual World Cup to inspire Argentina to glory.
Lothar Matthaus
The 29-year-old was outstanding as a leader and midfielder as West Germany lifted a third crown. Matthaus contributed four goals from deep, including two beauties against Yugoslavia.
Romario
‘Shortie’ netted trademark toe-pokes aplenty, and got the only goal against Sweden in the semi-finals with a rare header. His exploits helped Brazil win their first World Cup in 24 years.
Zinedine Zidane
‘Zizou’ was hallowed for his hypnotic feet, but it was two inhabitual headers that helped France become global champions for the first time and sparked hysteria across the nation.
Ronaldo
‘O Fenômeno’ went into the tournament having barely kicked a ball in two-and-a-half years. He finished it having scored eight times, including both goals in the final, to return Brazil to the top of the podium.
Fabio Cannavaro
Centre-backs rarely collect individual awards at global finals. So good was Cannavaro in Italy’s charge to gold, however, that he secured the adidas Silver Ball and a new nickname: ‘The Berlin Wall’.
David Villa
‘El Guaje’ played a fundamental function in Spain’s maiden conquest. He scored five and set up one of their eight goals, and earned the adidas Silver Boot and adidas Bronze Ball.
Mario Gotze
The attacking midfielder dazzled in the group stage, before being little used in the knockout phase. That was until Joachim Low summoned him from the bench in the 88th minute of the final and told him, “Show the world you are better than Messi.” Gotze’s glorious goal subsequently grabbed Germany glory.
Kylian Mbappe
The 19-year-old was electrifying as France seized a second star. Mbappe delivered an unforgettable display in a 4-3 win over Argentina in the last 16, and was on target in the 4-2 defeat of Croatia in the final.
Lionel Messi
At the age of 35, one of football’s greatest-ever players finally got his hands on its ultimate prize. Messi scored seven goals, assisted another three and set World Cup records aplenty as Argentina ruled for a third time.
