
<p>The 2022 World Cup made a serious case to be the best tournament ever. Upsets, dramatic storylines, incredible goals and the greatest player of all time won his first World Cup. A storybook ending to an incredible sporting event on the field. </p>



<p>The <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/news/argentina-win-world-cup-in-one-of-the-classic-finals-of-all-time-20221218-WST-412674.html">Final itself is worthy of history</a>. Argentina defeated France in a thrilling game that needed penalties. Kylian Mbappé, the heir apparent to greatness, scored a hat trick. Two of his goals were penalties, yes. However, the middle goal of the three is a contender for goal of the tournament. Still, it was Lionel Messi, Mbappé’s PSG teammate who had two goals of his own on the day, that garnered the headlines. He led Argentina to the promised land for his first time and Argentina’s third.</p>



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<p>To be fair, other World Cups had great stories, too. Brazil 2014 was a fun one that saw six games in the knockout round go to extra time. Brazil’s famous 7-1 loss led into Germany’s fourth World Cup, a win over Lionel Messi’s Argentina in the Final. The 2002 World Cup also saw greatness. Ronaldo won Brazil’s fifth World Cup with a brace in the Final. However, that World Cup also sparks debate due to the <a href="https:\/\/www.vice.com/en/article/ywgx4y/how-the-2002-world-cup-became-the-most-controversial-tournament-in-recent-memory" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">controversy surrounding some of the officiating</a>. </p>



<p>Then, going further back into the tournament’s history, the 1986 was the spectacle of Diego Maradona. Great goals, great performances and the Hand of God to make everything more up in the air.</p>



<h2>What is the best World Cup in tournament history?</h2>



<p>Many factors and biases impact one’s interpretation of the World Cup tiers. Argentina fans, unsurprisingly, would call 1978, 1986 and 2022 the greatest World Cups bar none. German fans would say 2014 holds a special place, even if it is something of a nightmare for many from Argentina. </p>



<p>As an American, I hold fond memories of 2014. Sure, the kickoff times went a long way as I did not have to wake up at 5 in the morning. Still, the overall energy provided by South America was a joy throughout the competition. </p>



<p><em>PHOTO: IMAGO / Chai v.d. Laage</em></p>


Of all the World Cup iterations in history, which one takes the cake as the best tournament ever? Something recent, or perhaps something old?

Which is the best World Cup tournament ever?

destacadas

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<p>Any time a club announces a big-name signing, fans hope that name becomes the best transfer of all time. Way more often than not, that is not the case. To be fair, it is a tall order to be the ‘best’ at anything.</p>
<p>Last week, we asked about the flip side of this question. Analyzing <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/2022/07/15/what-are-the-biggest-transfer-flops-of-all-time/">the biggest transfer flops</a> is one thing as soccer fans like to scrutinize. That part of the game is just in our blood. However, let’s put a more positive spin on that.</p>
<p>We want to know who you think is the best transfer of all time. Take into consideration things like cost, goal output, consistency, trophies and frankly how much of a positive impact they made with the new team. Positive being the key word there. Oftentimes we remember to transfers that did not pan out more than those that do.</p>
<h3>The best transfer of all time</h3>
<p>Using the factors listed above, there are a couple options that are truly remarkable.</p>
<p>As a Barcelona fan, the effect of Johan Cruyff on the club started with his transfer to the Catalan side in 1973 for just $2 million. Roughly adjusted for inflation in USD, that is around $14 million. Clearly a bargain for a player that revolutionized the club as both a player and a coach.</p>
<p>However, if the goal is simply trophies, Kenny Dalglish may take the top spot. The Scot broke the British record for a transfer fee at an Earth-shattering 440,000 pounds. For a modern American audience, that is $2.5 million in 2022. Nine league titles, four League Cups, three FA Cups and three European Cups later, he is the greatest player in a vaunted Liverpool history.</p>
<p>For something somewhat more recent, few would argue the impact Sergio Aguero made at Manchester City. Coming over from Atletico Madrid in the summer of 2011. In that inaugural season, he scored the most-famous goal in the history of the Premier League. He clinched the league title for Manchester City, and would later go on to win everything except the Champions League. In doing so, he became the top foreign-born scorer in the history of the league. His <a href="https:\/\/www.transfermarkt.us/sergio-aguero/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/26399" target="_blank" rel="noopener">184 goals</a> ranks fourth-highest in the history of the league, a bargain for what Manchester City paid to acquire him.</p>
<p>Who do you think is the best transfer to a new club of all time?</p>
<p><em>PHOTO: Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images</em></p>


Aguero, Henry, Cruyff, Dalglish, Ronaldo. These are just some examples. Who do you think is the best transfer of all time?

Who is the best transfer to a new club of all time? - World Soccer Talk

Who is the best transfer to a new club of all time?

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<p>Some players are historic for their designation as one of the biggest transfer flops of all time.</p>
<p>Generally speaking, it is a fairly harsh judgment. Players do not decide what their transfer fee is when clubs switch them around. In fact, there can be times when a player may not be the one forcing a move. Same goes the other way, though. Sometimes, players force their way out and yield lower transfer fees. In doing so, their criticism may be lower in hindsight.</p>
<p>In any case, transfers are part of the modern game. Certain players hike up the average fees, leading to exorbitant costs for players compared to previous generations.</p>
<p>Sometimes, those transfer fees wildly exceed the output on the new team. Whether that be goals, lack of effectiveness or just not fitting in, some players do not work out. And, with the commonality of transfers in the modern day, there are transfer flops each year in each league throughout the world.</p>
<h3>Biggest transfer flops of all time</h3>
<p>When taking into account both the cost and the performance with the new team, we want to know your takes. Who is the biggest transfer flop of all time?</p>
<p>If you are asking me, a <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/teams/barcelona-tv-schedule/">Barcelona</a> fan, there are a number of options to choose from. Personally, I attribute that to Philippe Coutinho to the Camp Nou in 2018 for just shy of <a href="https:\/\/www.transfermarkt.us/philippe-coutinho/transfers/spieler/80444">$150 million</a>. Again, this is not entirely the fault of Coutinho. Injuries and exceedingly high expectations put the Brazilian under the microscope. Plus, it is hard to compare Coutinho to the likes of Neymar or Kylian Mbappé, the only players to have higher transfer fees.</p>
<p>There are likely a fair few factors you consider when picking your selection for the biggest transfer flop of all time. Your favorite team is among them. Yet, you may also pick based off of the transfer fee itself. For example, is Neymar’s crazy transfer fee to Barcelona truly worth what we see at the Parisian club? Probably not, but there is more than just performance on the pitch that comes into account for transfers.</p>
<p>So, use the comment section below to let us know your selection for the biggest flop.</p>
<p><em>PHOTO: Xavier Bonilla/NurPhoto via Getty Images</em></p>


Using the comment section on this post, provide your response to who the biggest transfer flop of all time is in the world of soccer.

What are the biggest transfer flops of all time? - World Soccer Talk

What are the biggest transfer flops of all time?

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<p>Sometimes you watch a World Cup and you think ‘<em>well, that was the greatest edition of that tournament ever.’&nbsp;</em></p>
<p>That is not always the case. Certain World Cups are boring. Or, at least, they do not live up to the billing despite having the greatest teams and players from across the globe. Regardless, the quadrennial tournament seems to always yield dramatic storylines and games as the tournament unfolds.</p>
<p>Yet, certain editions stick in our heads and hearts more than others. There are a number of reasons why that may be.</p>
<p>The 2018 World Cup is special to those in Russia because it was the country’s first time hosting the World Cup. Similarly, French soccer fans may call that the best World Cup because their country won it. Even young English fans, who saw the Three Lions reach the semifinals for the first time since Italia ’90, remember that tournament fondly.</p>
<p>Then again, imagine what fans of France, Argentina or West Germany felt during the 1998, 1978 and 1974 World Cup Finals, respectively. Each of those nations <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/2022/05/10/how-many-countries-have-won-a-world-cup-on-home-turf/">hosted the World Cup that year</a>, and each won the trophy.</p>
<h3>What is the greatest World Cup ever?</h3>
<p>Fact remains, it is near impossible to put opinions about the World Cup aside. Albeit that is somewhat easier for a twenty-something American like myself. I have not seen the U.S. host a World Cup (but I will in <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/category/world-cup-2026">2026</a>), and the U.S. never made it past the quarterfinals in my life.</p>
<p>Therefore, the greatest World Cup I can remember is 2014. At that time, I was in high school. Watching James Rodriguez and Lionel Messi light up a <a href="https:\/\/www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2014/jul/15/world-cup-2014-review-64-memories-matches-brazil-germany-argentina" target="_blank" rel="noopener">South American World Cup</a> was a joy. It also helps that I could watch every game in the U.S. at a reasonable hour. That does not necessarily hold true for the <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/world-cup-tv-schedule/">5 a.m. kickoffs in Qatar scheduled</a> for November and December 2022.</p>
<p>What is the greatest World Cup you have ever watched? Was it your favorite nation lifting the golden trophy? Or, was there so much drama throughout the competition that one tournament sticks out in your memory bank?</p>
<p>Let us know in the comments below, some people will surely have the same response. After all, these competitions only happen every four years.</p>
<p><em>PHOTO: Simon Bruty/Anychance/Getty Images</em></p>


Even though there are only tournaments every four years, people have different beliefs on what the greatest World Cup ever is. What's yours?

What is the greatest World Cup ever? - World Soccer Talk

What is the greatest World Cup ever?

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<p>Kylian Mbappé’s rapid start to his career could put him in the running for the greatest soccer player of all time.</p>
<p>That topic is one that sparks debate among a certain set of players. Four men separate themselves from their peers in their respective eras.</p>
<p>Pelé, Diego Maradona, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. The Mount Rushmore of soccer all played in similar positions along the front line. Yet, they interpreted their roles differently based on their skillsets and the tactical formations used.</p>
<p>Central midfielders, defenders and goalkeepers are mostly excluded from these debates. Reason being, their ability to influence a match tends to come on a collective effort. Contrarily, attacking midfielders, forwards and strikers score most of their team’s goals. Individuals can create the majority of a side’s chances, therefore allowing for more individual brilliance.</p>
<p>Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are still strong players. However, their best days are in their dominant past. Instead, one of Lionel Messi’s teammates has the ability and potential to one day join the ‘GOAT’ debate.</p>
<h5><strong>Prodigious Beginnings</strong></h5>
<p>Kylian Mbappé is already a legend. If his career ended today, Mbappé would be remembered as one of the greatest French players in the history of the country. In six seasons, he accomplished more than most players have in their entire careers. At 23, he scored 26 goals for <em>Les Bleus</em> and will most likely become their all-time leading scorer. Next season, he can surpass Edison Cavani’s mark of 200 goals. In doing so, he becomes the all-time leading scorer in Paris Saint-Germain’s history. Mbappé currently has 171 scores for the Parisians.</p>
<h3><strong>Comparable statistics</strong></h3>
<p>The game changed drastically over the years. Players flip clubs and country regularly, making statistics more jumbled. The fact that leagues and competitions in South America do not necessarily align with European competitions makes things more confusing. Regardless, there are certain comparisons to make between Pelé, Diego Maradona, Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and a young Kylian Mbappé .</p>
<h5>Club success</h5>
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<tbody>
<tr>
<td></td>
<td style="text-align: center;">Domestic League wins</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">Domestic Cup wins</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">International Cup wins</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">Pelé</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">17</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">4</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">4</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">Maradona</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">3</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">4</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">Messi</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">11</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">14</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">10</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">Ronaldo</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">7</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">12</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">11</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">Mbappé</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">5</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">5</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">0</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>Pelé, Messi and Mbappé have success at one club, with the exception of Messi’s lone season in France and Pelé’s brief tenure with the New York Cosmos. International cups includes things like the UEFA Cup, the UEFA Champions League, the Copa Libertadores. Plus, there are competitions along the lines of the FIFA Club World Cup, UEFA Super Cup and even an intercontinental Super Cup.</p>
<h5>International success</h5>
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<td></td>
<td style="text-align: center;">World Cup</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">Continental Cups</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">Smaller competitions</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">Pelé</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">3</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">7</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">Maradona</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">Messi</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">Ronaldo</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">Mbappé</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">1</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>When representing their country, each of the five players has success. Of course, the landscape of international soccer changed over the 70 years of play. Remarkably, Pelé and Maradona never won a Copa América.</p>
<p>Smaller competitions refers to things like the UEFA Nations League, the Olympics, the CONMEBOL-UEFA Cup of Champions (<a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/2022/05/31/argentina-vs-italy-on-tv-coverage-details/"><em>Finalissima&nbsp;</em>in 2022</a>) and various small tournaments from Pelé and Brazil in the 1960s.</p>
<h5>Individual success</h5>
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<td style="text-align: center;">Ballon d’Or</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">Top scorer in domestic league</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">Best player of the year from home country</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">Pelé</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">7*</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">14</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">1*</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: left;">Maradona</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">2*</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">6</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">4</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">Messi</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">7</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">8</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">14</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">Ronaldo</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">5</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">5</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">4</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">Mbappé</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">4</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">2</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>There are too many awards to go around for these four players. Top scorers, best players at tournaments, most assists in a year, league player of the year, Golden Ball at World Cup or continental cup. This is simply a surface-level look at the illustrious careers of four of the game’s greats. Plus, the table shows how Kylian Mbappé already has individual success.</p>
<p>The Ballon d’Or ‘wins’ for Pelé and Diego Maradona are retrospective. Up until 1995, only <a href="https:\/\/www.givemesport.com/1716175-pele-and-maradona-every-ballon-dor-winner-if-noneuropean-players-were-always-eligible">European-born players were eligible</a> to receive the award. In 2016, France Football announced who would have won the award if it were open to the world, not just Europe, for each year since its inception.</p>
<p>Note that Brazil only started handing out an award for Brazilian footballer of the year in 1970, thee only year Pelé won. Plus, the award only goes to players in Brazil. However, it remains the best comparison to the other players listed.</p>
<h5>Peak Performance</h5>
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<th style="text-align: center;">Best era</th>
<th style="text-align: center;">Highlights</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">Pelé</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">1957-1965, 1970 FIFA World Cup</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">Three World Cups, domestic success</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">Maradona</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">1977-81, 1986-1990</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">Single-handedly carried Argentina to 1986 World Cup</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">Messi</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">2009-19, 2021 Copa America</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">Dominated Spanish soccer for a decade</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">Cristiano</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">2007-08 club season, 2011-12, 2016-19</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">Won regularly in three countries at highest level</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">Mbappé</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">2018-current</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">World Cup win, bright talent</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>Out of the five categories, peak performance is the most important. Many prefer consistency and longevity, which is understandable. But peak performance displays the ability to rise above your competition and reach heights that few can in the history of the sport.</p>
<p>In soccer, the heights Maradona reached from 1986-1990 are still unmatched. Pelé played for legendary teams on the club and international level. Cristiano and Messi played for club sides that are among the best in soccer history. Maradona didn’t have that luxury on the club or international level, but rather willed his teams to the mountaintop.</p>
<h3><strong>Kylian Mbappé path to being the greatest of all time</strong></h3>
<p>“I want to win and win more. If you look at the world of football, there are a lot of great players and if you fall asleep then someone can take it away from you. I’m a lucky guy who plays for a great team at club and international level, but I don’t look back. I don’t think about what I’ve won, my goal is to keep winning. I want to make football history,” said Mbappé after he received the Best Player of the Year Award at the 2021 Globe Soccer Awards.</p>
<p>His drive to become the best fuels his game. The first step in reaching soccer’s Mount Rushmore is to lead PSG to their first Champions League triumph in spectacular form. If he is able, then he will be among Pelé and Maradona in a small group of elite players who led their respective clubs to their first piece of major continental silverware. Mbappé is already in an exclusive club with Pelé they are currently the only teenagers to score in a FIFA World Cup final which exhibits their precociousness.</p>
<h5>More French success</h5>
<p>The next step for Kylian Mbappé to emerge as one of the greatest of all time is to win more international hardware with France. <em>Les Bleus</em> has the deepest talent pool when it comes to players, so they are among the favorites in every competition for the next decade.</p>
<p>The last step will be to leave France down the line and to challenge himself either in the Premier League or La Liga. Out of the five ‘Big Leagues’ in Europe, Ligue 1 is fifth. While there is plenty of talent in the division, PSG is the overwhelming favorite every season due to their financial advantage in the nation and club soccer overall. The Ballon d’Ors will come eventually because he is currently the best and most explosive player in the world.</p>
<p>While he has a long way to go, don’t be surprised when if Mbappé joins the G.O.A.T. conversation.</p>
<p>In 2017, Maradona spoke highly of the French international to AS, a major Spanish newspaper.</p>
<blockquote><p>“For me, Mbappé is the revelation of football. He seems to me that he can be better than lots of players.”</p></blockquote>
<p>Including Maradona.</p>
<p><em>PHOTO: Matthias Hangst/Getty Images</em></p>


Kylian Mbappé is not part of the discussion for greatest soccer player of all time. However, his bright start could put him in that area.

Kylian Mbappé's road to being the greatest of all time - World Soccer Talk

Kylian Mbappé's road to being the greatest of all time

<p>The countries with the most World Cup soccer titles are an elite group.</p>
<p>These nations have history of producing world class talent each year. Therefore, they are always in the mix for contention when the World Cup rolls around every four years.</p>
<p>In the 21 editions of the tournament, only eight countries out of FIFA’s 211 members won the World Cup. Then, six of those can say they won the competition multiple times. Spain and England are the only countries to win just one World Cup Final. Interestingly, three countries played in more World Cup Finals than both Spain and England. However, the Netherlands, Czech Republic and Hungary all came up short on multiple occasions.</p>
<p>There is certainly overlap between where the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/2022/04/21/world-cup-top-scorers-of-all-time/">best players in the history of the game</a> come from and which country has the most World Cup soccer titles. Pele, Diego Maradona, Gerd Muller and more all played crucial roles in lifting the World Cup.</p>
<p>However, Pele stands out. As a member of the Brazil National Team, he is the only player to claim three World Cups as a player. Plenty of Brazilians won two with Brazil winning three World Cups in four tournaments from 1958 to 1970.</p>
<p>Therefore, Brazil built its pedigree as one of the most successful countries at the World Cup. Despite last winning over 20 years ago, Brazil remains the country with the most World Cup titles in history.</p>
<h3>The country with the most World Cup soccer titles</h3>
<p>	table.tableizer-table {<br>		font-size: 12px;<br>		border: 1px solid #CCC;<br>		font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;<br>	}<br>	.tableizer-table td {<br>		padding: 4px;<br>		margin: 3px;<br>		border: 1px solid #CCC;<br>	}<br>	.tableizer-table th {<br>		background-color: #104E8B;<br>		color: #FFF;<br>		font-weight: bold;<br>	}</p>
<table class="tableizer-table">
<thead>
<tr class="tableizer-firstrow">
<th>Country</th>
<th>World Cup wins</th>
<th>Runner-up finishes</th>
<th>Years won</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center"><strong>Brazil</strong></td>
<td style="text-align: center">5</td>
<td style="text-align: center">2</td>
<td style="text-align: center">1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, 2002</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center"><strong>Germany</strong></td>
<td style="text-align: center">4</td>
<td style="text-align: center">4</td>
<td style="text-align: center">1954, 1974, 1990, 2014</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center"><strong>Italy</strong></td>
<td style="text-align: center">4</td>
<td style="text-align: center">2</td>
<td style="text-align: center">1934, 1938, 1982, 2006</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center"><strong>Argentina</strong></td>
<td style="text-align: center">2</td>
<td style="text-align: center">3</td>
<td style="text-align: center">1978. 1986</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center"><strong>France</strong></td>
<td style="text-align: center">2</td>
<td style="text-align: center">1</td>
<td style="text-align: center">1998, 2018</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center"><strong>Uruguay</strong></td>
<td style="text-align: center">2</td>
<td style="text-align: center">0</td>
<td style="text-align: center">1930, 1950</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center"><strong>England</strong></td>
<td style="text-align: center">1</td>
<td style="text-align: center">0</td>
<td style="text-align: center">1966</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center"><strong>Spain</strong></td>
<td style="text-align: center">1</td>
<td style="text-align: center">0</td>
<td style="text-align: center">2010</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>There are interesting things to note regarding Brazil being the country with the most World Cup wins. From 1950 to 2002, the World Cup Final featured one of Brazil or Germany/West Germany each tournament except for one. That exception is when Argentina defeated the Netherlands in 1978. Only once did Brazil and Germany play each other in a Final: 2002 when <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2002/jun/30/worldcupfootball2002.sport19">Oliver Kahn’s mistake in goal</a> opened up a lead Brazil would not relinquish.</p>
<p>Something else not listed in the table above are the efforts of the Netherlands. Despite three World Cup Final appearances, the Netherlands lost against West Germany, Argentina and Spain.</p>
<p>While the host of the World Cup switches each year, it is always more fun from a neutral fan’s perspective when they host nation does well. Having the support of a nation on full display provides more excitement. Germany, Italy, Argentina, France, Uruguay and England all won the World Cup on home soil at some point. Brazil despite both being the country with the most World Cup titles and hosting the competition twice, is not one of those teams. In 1950, over 150,000 fans watched Brazil lose in the final against Uruguay. Then, in 2014, a crushing 7-1 defeat in the semifinals sent the hosts packing.</p>
<p>All these teams enter the World Cup each year with hopes of adding to their trophy cabinet. That is, of course, leaving out Italy, which failed to qualify for a second-consecutive World Cup in 2022.</p>
<p><em>Photo credit: JEWEL SAMAD/AFP via Getty Images</em></p>

What country has the most World Cup soccer titles?

Eight nations have won the World Cup. Of these soccer giants, which country actually has the most World Cup titles in the competition?

What country has the most World Cup soccer titles? - World Soccer Talk

<div><figure class="image"></figure></div>
<p>The World Cup top scorers of all time list differs heavily from the stereotypical list of who the greatest players of all time are.</p>
<p>If anything, that signals that heroes are made in the monthlong competition that happens every four years. For example, Cristiano Ronaldo has seven goals in his four World Cup competitions. That puts him with players like Luis Suarez or Dutch leader Johnny Rep in a tie for 30th.</p>
<p>Lionel Messi, who scored one goal less than Ronaldo in the same four competitions, is in a pack of 26 players to have scored six goals in their World Cup careers. Many World Cup legends, including James Rodriguez in 2014, Harry Kane in 2018 and Hristo Stoichkov in 1994 scored all six of their career goals in one tournament.</p>
<p>Rather, the World Cup top scorers are not necessarily the first people to come to mind, with Pelé being the most famous name. Even then, he only ranks fifth on the all time list.</p>
<p>Here are the top scorers all time at the World Cup, and how each man amassed those goals in various tournaments.</p>
<h3>World Cup top scorers</h3>
<h5>1. Miroslav Klose (GER), 16 goals</h5>
<div><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-380705" src="https:\/\/ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https:\/\/images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/WST_20220421_WST_380601_Miroslav-Klose-1.webp&amp;width=1200&amp;height=884" alt="Miroslav Klose" width="1200" height="884" srcset="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2022/04/Miroslav-Klose-1.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2022/04/Miroslav-Klose-1-1086x800.jpg 1086w, https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2022/04/Miroslav-Klose-1-600x442.jpg 600w, https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2022/04/Miroslav-Klose-1-150x111.jpg 150w, https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2022/04/Miroslav-Klose-1-768x566.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure></div>
<p>Capping off his World Cup career by lifting the 2014 World Cup, Miroslav Klose played in, and scored in, four different World Cups. He earned the Golden Show award in 2006 with five goals in his home country. Four years prior, he scored the second-most goals in South Korea and Japan, again with five.</p>
<p>Klose is the benefactor of knowledge of when and where to be on the field. Starting out for Germany by making substitute appearances, he scored all five of his goals at the 2002 World Cup with his head. His poacher mentality assisted Germany in the knockout stages of the 2006 World Cup, scoring the equalizer in the 80th minute against Argentina in the quarterfinals.</p>
<p>The German, who did not overly impress at club level, scored his <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/2014/06/21/germanys-miroslav-klose-equals-world-cup-all-time-goalscoring-record-video/">record 16th goal</a> at the World Cup in the famous, or infamous, destruction of Brazil in Belo Horizonte, 7-1. His signature flipping celebration became a mainstay over his 12-year tenure of World Cups.</p>
<h5>2. Ronaldo (BRA), 15</h5>
<p>The Brazilian Ronaldo is one of the most influential scorers of all time. In his time with Brazil, he won two World Cups and finished runner-up in a third in 1998. Albeit, he did not make any appearances as part of the 1994 World Cup winning side.</p>
<p>Regardless, the striker, who played for Real Madrid, Barcelona, Inter Milan and Milan in his career, was Brazil’s most important player in 1998 and 2002. He won the award for best player in the tournament, scoring four times. His health problems and performance in the final remain a mystery, as France defeated Brazil, 3-0.</p>
<p>Ronaldo’s eight goals in the 2002 World Cup allowed him to achieve the most goals at the competition. In fact, he cleared those in second, including Miroslav Klose, by three goals. He was a major factor in Brazil winning the competition, scoring both the goals in the final. Brazil won its fifth World Cup. Then, four years later, Ronaldo achieved the record for most goals in a career at the World Cup with three in Germany 2006. <i>O Fenômeno&nbsp;</i>is certainly one of the best players in the history of the sport.</p>
<h5>3. Gerd Muller (GER), 14</h5>
<div><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" class="wp-image-380708 size-full alignright" src="https:\/\/ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https:\/\/images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/WST_20220421_WST_380601_Gerd-Muller-1974-Trophy.webp&amp;width=385&amp;height=653" alt="" width="385" height="653" srcset="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2022/04/Gerd-Muller-1974-Trophy.jpg 385w, https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2022/04/Gerd-Muller-1974-Trophy-150x254.jpg 150w" sizes="(max-width: 385px) 100vw, 385px"></figure></div>
<p>In his debut World Cup in 1970, Gerd Muller scored an astounding 10 goals. He scored seven in three group stage games. This includes a pair of hat tricks against Bulgaria and Peru. In the knockout stage, his remaining three goals carried immeasurable importance. In West Germany’s quarterfinal fixture with England, Muller scored the game-winning goal in extra time to unseat the holders. Three days later, in the <a href="https:\/\/www.youtube.com/watch?v=DIxr3kQnYvk">‘Game of the Century’</a>, Muller’s two extra time goals were not enough to defeat Italy.</p>
<p>Despite the devastating defeat, West Germany held some solace in a third-place finish. Muller’s tally in 1970 is the last time a player reached double-figures in goals at one tournament, despite the number of teams and games increasing.</p>
<p>Four years later, Muller and West Germany bounced back from third place. In the second phase of the competition, Muller scored the game-winner in the final game against Poland to send West Germany to the World Cup Final in Munich. Muller then scored the winner in the World Cup Final, his fourth goal at the 1974 World Cup and 14th overall, allowing West Germany to lift its second World Cup.</p>
<p>Muller led the World Cup top scorers of all time until 2006, when Ronaldo topped him.</p>
<h5>4. Just Fontaine (FRA), 13</h5>
<p>It is one thing to score 14, 15 or even 16 goals over a span of World Cups. It is a totally different achievement to score 13 goals at&nbsp;<em>one&nbsp;</em>World Cup. Just Fontaine scored 13 times in his only World Cup appearance at Sweden 1958. After six goals in the group stage, it already shaped up for a strong competition.</p>
<p>Fontaine scored twice in a quarterfinal victory over Nothern Ireland. Then, his ninth-minute equalizer was not enough to get past Brazil, who had a young phenom score a hat trick to send Brazil to the Final. In the third-place playoff, Just Fontaine exploded for four goals against West Germany, clinching France’s best finish in a World Cup at the time.</p>
<p>Fontaine’s 13 goals held two records at the time. On one hand, it remains the most goals scored by one player at one World Cup. Interestingly, Fontaine actually took the title from Hungarian Sándor Kocsis. Kocsis scored 11 times at the 1954 World Cup in Switzerland. Fontaine also achieved the rank of World Cup leading scorer of all time, a title he held until 1974. Despite scoring 13 times, Fontaine was actually not the headline maker at the 1958 World Cup.</p>
<h5>5. Pele (BRA), 12</h5>
<p>Pele burst onto the scene at the 1958 World Cup as a 17-year-old. The game-winner in the quarterfinal against Wales preceded a hat trick against Just Fontaine’s France to send Brazil to the final. There, Pele scored another two goals, helping Brazil to win its first World Cup trophy.</p>
<p>Pele’s career is one that children dream about. He scored the most goals at the club level. Also, he won three World Cups with Brazil, playing a major role in each one. Finally, he contributed to Brazil emerging as the dominant force in international soccer changing the way the world thinks about Brazilians in the sport.</p>
<p>Looking away from Brazil’s shock performance in the 1966 World Cup, where Pele scored just once and Brazil exited after three group stage games, Pele’s reputation speaks for itself. He scored in the 1970 World Cup Final, but could have added more. His injury in Brazil’s second game of the 1962 World forced him out of the competition. At the time, most considered him the best player in the world. Still, he remains one of the World Cup top scorers of all time.</p>


The World Cup top scorers of all time list features familiar names, but varies in terms of how players achieved such lofty goal marks.

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