Gazza did have a rival in 1990 for stunning performances- Salvatore Schillaci of Italy who won the Golden Boot - but it was his blistering, swerving runs as much as the goals that made him a surprise star, often forgotten here because of our fascination with Gazza.
Overall though I'd go for Maradona 86, sigh.

Haha I thought you might be a Baggio fan by your name. Baggio was on fire in 1994 and it's not like he was the only one who missed a penalty. It's just because it was the last one and everyone expected him to score. Has the Italian coach ever explained his penalty kicker selection?

Looking back, Matthaus was probably better in 1990 than Gazza but Gazza did nutmeg him in the semi

Wrong thread
Last edited by g0ldenballs : 12-07-2014 at 22:27

2002 - It was Oliver Khan who got Germany to the final I thought. Sadly, the Germans don't remember that, but only remember the mistake he made in the final. That was a terrible German team and the worst team I have seen reach a final.

2006 - I don't disagree that Zidane was sublime and probably deserves to be man of the tournament, but Italy would never in a million years have won that cup if not for the heroic performance of Cannavaro. I described him as the Chinese wall, but I remember that he was actually nicknamed the 'Berlin wall'. Zidane was spectacular as always though.

2014 - We will see what he does in the final, but Mascherano is the man of the tournament for me so far.

Vlaar in this WC for sure. Been keeping a close eye on him more so than any other player and he has been immense nearly all the way through. Only made one mistake.

Fair points on all. I was going for the players who stood out for me in each tournament. I'd love to see others favourites from each World Cup

That Ned v Arg semi-final was basically Vlaar against Mascherano - both absolutely brilliant. It's such a shame Vlaar missed that penalty. He was definitely Holland's best man on the pitch.

Well , for as good as Baggio had been in that final phase. , he was carrying an injury from the BUL semifinal. Sacchi never even began to explain why he didn't play Zola in that match rather than Baggio with half a leg , to begin with. Bearing in mind Baresi had just made a miracoulos recovery to play in the final having had a knee op after the first group game. Sacchi was a great club coach for AC Milan , not so much in the national team, IMO.

Not only were his injured players playing in the final, he chose them as his main penalty takers. I think Baggio was right when he described Sacchi as "crazy". Ironically, Italy's penalty kicks in the final of 2006 were the best I have ever seen. They showed absolute nerves of steel because France's penalties were great too.

Well like all older top managers they can become set in their ways and stubborn. Scolari is no better.

In addition to many already mentioned, I have never forgotten the extraordinary play by Gheorghe Hagi for Romania in 1994. No wonder he was nicknamed the Maradona of the Carpathians.

Maradona was on fire in 1986, especially against Belgium and England.