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#2 Paolo Rossi (Spain 1982)
The inaugural Golden Ball winner was also one of the best. Paolo Rossi came into the 1982 World Cup with a point to prove, having been suspended domestically for his involvement in a betting scandal, which he always denied.
He had missed the 1980 European Championship as a result of what he branded “an injustice”, while he only returned to action just in time to play the end of the 1981-82 season with Juventus. Prior to the World Cup, he had made only three competitive appearances in two years.
His performances in the group stage seemed to confirm fears that he was not sharp enough to play at this standard off the back of such preparation, though head coach Enzo Bearzot took the brave decision to stick by him heading into the knockout rounds.
If it was Italy’s defence that was to the fore in their 2-1 win over Argentina, Rossi grabbed centre stage against tournament favourites Brazil as he scored an incredible semi-final hat-trick.
In the final against Germany, he would open the scoring to set the foundation for his side to win 3-1. It was his sixth of the tournament and back home all was forgiven.
Meanwhile, he claimed a unique treble of Golden Ball, Golden Boot, and World Cup.
