1. Pele, Brazil, World Cup winner 1958, 1962 & 1970.
Who else but the great Pele? The only player to win three World Cups across three different decades, Pele has long been regarded as the sport’s most iconic figure.
Pele famously promised his father that he would win the World Cup after Brazil’s shocking defeat by Uruguay at the Maracanã in 1950. At just 17, he burst onto the global stage in 1958, scoring a hat‑trick in the semi‑final against France and adding two more goals in the final victory over Sweden.
He was a key member of the Brazil side that successfully defended the title four years later, although a injury forced him to miss much of that tournament despite scoring in the opening match; he received a winners’ medal only after the event. In 1966, however, the sport’s greatest player endured considerable physical hardship and subsequently announced his retirement from World Cup competition.
Four years later, in 1970, Pele returned to the world stage carrying the hopes of a nation in Mexico. There he displayed his most skillful, creative, and innovative performances, mesmerizing fans in the yellow jersey as Brazil reached the final and then crushed Italy 4‑1. Pele opened the scoring and also assisted two further goals.
Undoubtedly, Pele remains the most legendary figure in World Cup history.
