Pele was the Brazilian soccer star who played from 1956 to 1977. Many people consider him the best player to ever play. When Pele Was 17, he scored six goals in the 1958 World Cup leading Brazil onto a World Cup championship. Pele also helped Brazil win the World Cup in 1970. when playing for his club team, Santos, he scored 1281 goals in all of his games and tournaments. 

Ronaldo is another Brazilian star. He has been playing from 1993 up to this day. Ronaldo has won the triple honor twice. The Triple Honor is winning European, World, and FIFA player of the year all in the same year. While Playing for Brazil, Ronaldo scored 8 goals in the 2002 World Cup. He helped Brazil win the World Cup that same year. In this year’s 2006 World Cup, Ronaldo won the bronze shoe award for scoring the 3^rd most goals in the tournament.

Diego Maradona, in some people’s opinion, is the greatest soccer player ever. Maradona started his international career with Argentina when he was only 16. He played from 1976 to 1996. In the 1986 World Cup, Diego Maradona scored 5 goals. Argentina went on to win the World Cup that year. That same year Diego Maradona won the Player of the Year award.

Franz Beckenbauer was a German star who played from 1964 to 1982. Beckenbauer was born on September 11, 1945 in Munich, Germany. He played the position of attacking sweeper for the German team. Beckenbauer took Germany to the World Cup and won in 1974. Franz Beckenbauer is the only player ever to win the World Cup as a player and win it as a coach.

Roberto Baggio was born on February 18, 1967 in Italy. The club teams he played for are Fiorentina, Juventus, Milan, Bologna, Internazionale, and Brescia. Baggio was the world’s most expensive player when Juventus bought him. In 1994, Roberto Baggio won the Player of the Year award. That same year, he took Italy to the World Cup Finals. They ended up losing when Baggio missed the penalty kick in the shootout.

David Beckham was born on May 2, 1975 in London, England. His only club team is Manchester United. He turned professional in 1992. Beckham was in the 1998 World Cup but was sent off against Argentina.