Pele was born in Brazil. He is known all around the world to some people as the best player to ever play the game.  He played from 1956 to 1977.  On his club team, Santos, he scored 1281 goals total.  He has lead Brazil to 2 world cup wins one in 58 and one in 70.  Today people still believe he is the best footballer in the world.

Diego Maradona was born in Argentina.  People believe that he not Pele is the best to ever play.  When he was 16 he started playing for teams.  He played from 1977 to 1994.  In 1986 he led his team, Argentina, to a World Cup victory.  He also won the Golden Ball award for the World Cup and the FIFA Player of the Year award that same year. 

Franz Beckenbauer was born in Munich, Germany.  He was an attacking sweeper.  He is known for his skill on the pitch and for his coaching on the sideline.  He played from 1965 to 1977.  In 1974 he was on the German International team.  That year he led them to a World Cup victory.  He later retired and went on to coach Germany’s National team.  In 1990 the team won the World Cup.  He then became the first person to ever win the World Cup as a player and a coach.  Today he still remains the holder of the record.

Roberto Baggio was born in Italy.  He is known for some good and bad things.  He played from 1982 to 2004.  He played for the club teams of Vicenza, Fiorentina, Juventus, A.C. Milan, Bologna, Internazionale, and Brescia.  He played on the Italian national team too.  In 1994 he led Italy to the World Cup against Brazil.  They ended up going into a Penalty shoot out.  When Baggio was up to kick he missed the shot and lost it for Italy.

Zinedine Zidane was born in France.  He like Baggio is known for both good and bad things.  He played from 1988 to 2006.  He played for the club teams of AS Cannes, Girondins Bordeaux, Juventus, and Real Madrid.  He played on France’s national team from 1994 to 2006.  In 2006 he led France to the World Cup Finals against Italy.  He was then red-carded or ejected for head-butting Italian defender Marco Materazzi.  Though he did something wrong he still won the Golden Ball.

Ronaldo was born in Brazil.  His full name is “Ronaldo Luis Nazario de Lima.”  Ronaldo started playing in 1993.  He doesn’t play much any more but he is still on Brazil’s national team and plays for A.C Milan.  He won the FIFA Player of the Year award three times in his career.