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The World Cup is the greatest show of them all. The entire world watches when the best players put on their national kits in a bid to do their country proud. This means the entire nation's hopes and aspirations lie on the backs of the 11 players on the field.
G.O.A.Ts like Ronaldo Nazário, Pele, Maradona, and Cannavaro among others have had the opportunity to hold the World Cup trophy high above their heads as the world watches.
Sadly for some of the following players, the pressure was just too much to handle. As the eyes of billions were on them, they couldn't keep it together when it mattered the most.
Here's looking at legends who almost single-handedly cost their countries the World Cup.
#1 Roberto Baggio
The Divine Ponytail, as he was known, is one the greats of the game. His movement, positioning, and finishing are second to none. The 1993 Ballon d'Or and FIFA World Player of the Year was in and out of the national side due to issues with the managers, but USA 1994 was 'his' World Cup to win.
Having scored 21 and assisted another 6, he was in form heading to USA for the World Cup. Arrigo Sacchi and Baggio had an infamous falling out at the world cup, as the striker was benched in a defeat against Croatia. While all this was going on off the field, Baggio still managed 5 goals at the tournament, almost single-handedly taking Italy to the World Cup final.
Up against a strong Brazilian side, Baggio started despite a small muscle injury. Italy were poor throughout but managed to hold on as the match went to penalties.
The score was 3-2 on penalties. Baresi and Massaro had missed for Italy, while Santos had missed for Brazil. Italy's final penalty was to be taken by Baggio, who had to score to keep Italy in the final. He knew Taffarel, the Brazilian goalkeeper always dived and so looked to put it down the middle.
A long run-up followed as the 94,000 people in the Rose Bowl held their breaths. Time stood still as what followed wasn't in the script. Baggio mishit the ball and it flew way over the bar. Brazil had just won their fourth World cup as the Italian couldn't believe what had just happened.
To be fair to him, even if he had scored the goal, Brazil would have won, if they scored the next one. Everyone needed a scapegoat to pin the loss on, and here it was Roberto Baggio.
Look at him go from hero to zero in the eyes of every Italian.
#2 Oliver Kahn
Oliver Kahn is one the greatest goalkeepers of all time. The Bayern Munich legend was a leader of men. The aggressive German expected nothing but 100% from everyone in his team. One who'd never shy away from a confrontation, he commanded the box like none other.
Following the unlikely run to the semi-finals from hosts, South Korea. A single goal from Ballack was all it needed for Germany to book their tickets to the final. 30th June 2002, Germany vs Brazil. It was the German shot-stopper, Kahn vs el fenômeno, Ronaldo.
Kahn was on top his game, making save after save as Brazil kept hammering in shots at him. 3 one one one saves later, Kahn was as confident as ever at halftime. As the second half began Rivaldo took a tame shot from outside the box, straight at Kahn, who uncharacteristically let it slip out of his hands and straight into the feet of Ronaldo. He made no mistake and just like that, Brazil had one hand on the trophy out of nothing.
On any given day of the week, he would have caught that ball, but the occasion just seemed to have gotten to him. Left red-faced, the German could do nothing but hope his team scored a goal. Sadly, it was his bitter rival, Ronaldo who got his second and Brazil their fifth World Cup trophy.
Kahn in many interviews has revealed he still gets nightmares remembering that moment from 2002.
See to believe.
#3 Zinedine Zidane
One of the greatest players ever to grace the football field, Zidane had done it all. Ballon d'Or, World Cup, Euro, Champions League. He had won it all already.
As the 2006 World Cup rolled around, France struggled in qualification, making Deschamps plead retired stars to come back out of retirement for the world cup. Zidane stepped up to the plate and came back to lead the French line-up at the World Cup.
France stormed to the finals on the back of Zidane's control in the middle of the park. Italy was the final hurdle that Zidane had to cross to have a fairytale ending of a career.
The match exploded right off the bat. Both sides had scored within the first 20 minutes. Zidane scored a cheeky Panenka, while Materazzi equalized with 20 minutes on the clock. Both sides had quite a few opportunities to win the match but failed to capitalize on them. As the clock hit the 90-minute mark, the score remained at 1-1 and extra time followed.
This was when the game's turning point came. Materazzi and Zidane were jogging upfield when the Italian said something to the Frenchman that really hit a nerve. He turned around and headbutted him straight in his chest, knocking him to the ground. The referee ran over and gave Zidane his marching orders.
The match then went to penalties and Italy were crowned champions. The sight of a dejected Zidane walking past the World Cup trophy marked a disappointing end to a glorious international career.
See France's world cup dreams shatter down below.
#4 David Beckham
David Beckham, what's left to say about him that's not already been said. He was a fabulous footballer, is a global fashion icon, has his own line of grooming products and now owns a football club in the MLS. All was not rosy though at the 1998 World Cup.
Having made it to the team of the season, Beckham went into the World Cup with all the confidence in the world. The likes of Shearer, Scholes, Campbell, Adams and Ince among others, English fans would have expected their team to go deep into the tournament.
The Three Lions faced a strong Argentinian side in the round of 16. The match was off to a flier, with the score tied at 1-1 in the first 15 minutes. A penalty for each side was the highlight of the first half. The second half was where everything really kicked off.
Our man was right in the thick of things. A hard tackle from Simeone had gotten him all riled up and Beckham gave him a little kick back, in retaliation. Simeone made a meal of it and the referee had no choice but to send the winger off.
England went on to lose the match 4-3 on penalties and one man was blamed for it all, David Beckham. The fans were livid with him, effigies of him were hung on the streets and set on fire.
If Beckham hadn't acted out, there may have been a good chance the English team would have gone deep into the tournament given the stars at their disposal in every position.
#5 Socrates
One of the many greats to have dawned the yellow of the Seleção. Along with having a bachelor's degree in medicine, the bearded beauty was magic on the field.
Doctor Socrates as he was known due to his wealth of knowledge played as an attacking midfielder in the all-conquering Brazilian side. A magician on the ball, he was part of one of the greatest teams ever, with Zico, Eder, and Falcao in the side.
Brazil faced a star-studded French team in the quarter-finals. Platini, the captain of the side, lead by example, scoring for his side while Careca scored for the South Americans. The game went to penalties as no team could find a way through.
Socrates took the first penalty and tried to score without a run up as he did earlier in the tournament. The French goalkeeper, Bats guessed the right way and saved the important penalty. Brazil went on to lose the match and the legend ended his career unable to hoist the greatest trophy above his head.
