List made by the Guardian.com

I think its a pretty good list. But I'd say for the world cup, Ronaldo (R9) would deserve to be #2 instead of Maradona. Also, where is Klose? You'd think the top scorer of the world cup would be in the top 20's list.

Zizou should be in the top 3

Zizou Nr1 for sure if not for that headbutt thingy..

Let me remind you gentlemen that while Zidane was an exceptional footballer, we have never seen the likes of Beckenbauer, Pele, Garrincha, Eusebio, or Cruyff play live, and therefore we can not accurately compare their contributions in the World Cup with Maradona, Zidane, Ronaldo, Klose, etc. And yes, I agree Klose should be here as well, but this list was made before 2014, so they probably skipped him.

To me all around Zinedine Zidane . Headbutt is the main reason why many are quick to rate him less than among other greats .

@Marcus

I believe you misunderstood how the rankings were made. From what I understand, you are stating the best player to have played in the WC. This list was made depending on performances. Zidane was exceptional, but it's difficult to put him as #1 in terms of performances when you have Maradona, Pele, and Ronaldo gracing the World Cup with so much success.

Matthaus should be much higher solely due to number of world cup appearances. He was the Panzer!

Ok I see but Ronaldo , Marradona Pele all had fantastic teams .

1998 France was clearly the least favorite to win World Cup . Zidane was an icon of that victory .

in 2002 , he was injured and played through the injury in last game , but still was not able to Save France .

2006 , everyone was branding him as too old too slow and way past his prime and France was considered as favorites to win or reach final once again , but he inspired them in qualifying stage , then in group stage , then play offs and made an amazing performance in every game, to take France all the way to the final . Did you see how players were huging him like he is saviour . Raymond Domenechue was not manager of that team , Zizou was . He was player , captain and manager . Too bad that scumbag Matterazi spoiled it in final 2006 .

@Marcus

Indeed, I see your point, but I am inclined to disagree a little. France were not that much of outsiders as you stated. They were more like the 'dark horses', as BVB and Atletico were in the Champions League. They were a good team, better than the Dutch team that came 3rd in 2014 for sure. They were simply out of favor because they had poor results in 2002. In 1998 they had a pretty good team, and it was Ronaldo's illness/injury that gave them an easier time in the final.

Don't forget, they had the likes of Vieira, Zidane, and Makelele in midfield, Henry and Trezeguet as forwards, and Thuram and Abidal in defense. In 1998, they had an inexplicably strong team with the likes of Pires, Zidane, Deschamps, Petit, Karembeu, Thuram, Desailly, Lizarazu, and Blanc (not to mention youngsters like Vieira, Henry, and Trezeguet).