Arthur Coimbra was one of the most outstanding ball-jugglers that Brazil has produced in world soccer history. Zico made his World Cup debut in 1978 in Argentina. The host nation won the Cup but Zico was in his elements in the 1982 World Cup finals in Spain. His brilliant artistry and fluid movemnets ensured Brazil were hot favorites for the title. However disaster struck Brazil as in the quarter finals they ran into an inspired Italy, who anchored by an opportunistic hat-trick from comeback hero Paulo Rossi, lost 2-3. Zico was effectively policed by Italy's ruthless defender Gentile. It was a match Brazil should have won with consummate ease, but slackness in defence cost them dearly. Zico's last World Cup was in Mexico in 1986. This time he sizzled in the league games, making several goals for his mates, one of which was a spectacular back heel that enabled Careca to score against Northern Ireland in a 3-1 victory. He bowed out in tragic fashion as Brazil lost to France on penalties in the quaterfinals, Zico missing a crucial penalty, stopped by Joel Bats.
Diego Armando Maradona was born on October 20, 1963 in Buenos Aires and played for Boca Juniors in his teens. A prodigious star early in his career, he was surprisingly left out of the team by coach Cesar Menotti for the 1978 Cup at home. The team emerged victorious but later on, Maradona had the honour of leading his country to victory in the Junior World Cup. He made his debut in the 1982 tournament, where he was a marked man and was often hacked down by ruthless defenders. Maradona could take the attacks no longer and retaliated against Brazil, earning a red card. Argentina lost to Brazil and went no further. However his moment was to come in the 1986 finals in Mexico, a Cup he so thrillingly made his very own. Maradona scored in the league game against Italy, then took over in sizzling style once Argentina qualified for the knockout stage. Controversy erupted in the quarterfinal against England, as Maradona punched the first goal into the net with his hand, which was overlooked by the ref. However, there were no doubts over his second, one of the all time outstanding efforts, as he ran half the length of the stadium all by himself and scored. Belgium were outgunned in the semis by a couple of brilliant goals from Diego. He didnt score in the final but set up the clinching third goal. He signed up for Napoli in the Italian League the next year and had a successful stint with them. In the 1990 Cup, Maradona was plagued by injury but still the genius in him was enough to snuff out Brazil in the second round. Argentina stunned hosts and favorites Italy in the semifinal but were jaded and lacklustre in the final against Germany, losing to a penalty scored in the 86th minute. Despite testing positive for drugs and a spate of scandals, Diego made it to the 1994 Cup and scored against Greece. However, he tested positive yet again and bid farewell to a sport he had graced in such stunning fashion.
Michel Platini, the French musketeer, made his Cup debut in 1978. France were unspectacular in the '78 edition but Platini sizzled in the '82 Cup scoring some outstanding goals and setting up many more as he led France all the way to the semifinal. France tragically lost to West Germany in the sudden-death, after leading 3-1 at once stage, they allowed the fighting Germans to draw level and eventually win. Platini led France to a 2-0 win in the European Cup finals over Spain in 1984. He spearheaded France's challenge in the 1986 World Cup finals in Mexico, where he starred in victories over Italy and Brazil. Michel missed a penalty against Brazil but France eventually made it in a heart-stopper. However he had a disappointing game in the semi-final as France were stunned 2-0 by a rejuvenated West Germany. The 4-2 victory over Belgium for the third place was some consolation. France failed to qualify for the 1990 Cup and Platini's dalliance with the World Cup came to an end.
The son of a fruit-stall owner,Gary Lineker made his World Cup debut in the 1986 Cup at Mexico. He became a star straightaway as he scored a hat-trick against Paraguay and steered the English team to the quarterfinals. Lineker scored against Argentina as well, however Argentina scraped through 2-1, thanks to a controversial goal from Maradona, which clearly came off the hand. He finished the tournament as the leading scorer, winning the Golden Boot award. He was signed up by Barcelona immediately after. Lineker had a disappointing European Cup championship in 1988, but once again the World Cup brought the best out of him in 1990. Lineker scored in England's opening game against Ireland but his best came later on, as he scored off two vital penalties in England's come from behind 3-2 victory over Cameroon in the quarterfinal. He scored aganst Germany too in the semifinal but England lost in penalties. England failed to impress in the European Cup in 1992 and Linekar ended his career without quite getting the rewards his skills deserved.
Marco Van Basten, the Flying Dutchman, first hit the headlines in 1987 as he was the key behind Ajax having a triumphant season. His best came the next year, as he made the European Cup his very own, scoring a spectacular hat-trick against England and then scored a stunning second goal against Russia in the final. He struck a potent combination with Ruud Gullit and was instrumental in Holland winning the Cup. Marco starred for AC Milan in the 1989 Cupwinners Cup as they crushed Steaua Bucharest 4-0 in the final. He was patchy in the 1990 World Cup as Holland made their exit losing 2-0 to Germany in the knock-out stage. Like some of the greats before him like George Best and Eusebio, Marco was unlucky not to have taken his country to many more international triumphs, in no way a fair reflection of his talents
