Source: Daily_Mail
THE LIST: Sportsmail's top 50 World Cup icons, Nos 30-21
HAVE YOUR SAY... Who will you forever remember as a World Cup icon? In The List this week, Sportsmail count down the heroes and villains who have become part of the fabric of football's greatest tournament, be they players, coaches, commentators, animals or others! But who do you consider a World Cup icon? TELL US WHAT YOU THINK World Cup fever has the pulse beating and the temperature rising as the countdown to South Africa 2010 continues.[LNB]Who will join the hall of fame to become part of the fabric of football's greatest event? [LNB]It's not just the winners and the heroes who live long in the memory and this week's edition of The List celebrates 50 icons who will forever be associated with those few weeks every four years that fans of the Beautiful Game hold so dear.[LNB]Individual moments of magic (or madness) can make a star as much sustained brilliance of the order of Pele, and you'll find a plethora of reasons why we have selected our countdown of legends.[LNB]Read Nos 50-41Read Nos 40-31As ever, we want to know what you think. So join the debate on our message boards or by adding your comments at the bottom of the article as we reveal 10 icons each day this week till our No 1 emerges on Friday.[LNB]Enjoy...[LNB]30 Clive ThomasThe Welsh referee became the most famous person in football for a timeduring the 1978 World Cup.[LNB]Thomas blew the final whistle at a ratherinopportune moment in the match between Brazil and Sweden, as a corner was swinging in and just secondsbefore Zico scored what would have been the winning goal for the SouthAmericans.[LNB]Thomas was probably the most hated man in Brazilthat summer. [LNB] Controversial: Clive Thomas is surrounded by angry Brazilian players in 1978[LNB]29 Pickles[LNB]Thank Goodness for that: Pickles and owner David Corbett found the Jules Rimet trophy in 1966 [LNB]This might or might not be the only dog in our list. Pickles of coursewill always be remembered for recovering the legendary Jules Rimettrophy in 1966.[LNB]The trophy was stolen during a rare stamp exhibition inWestminster, and the nation was gripped by its whereabouts. Thank theLord for Pickles then, who was on walkies with owner David Corbett andfound the trophy wrapped in newspaper at the bottom of a hedge insouth London.[LNB]Not only did Mr Corbett pick up a £6,000 reward (quite asum back then) but Pickles was invited to the celebration banquet afterEngland's triumph, when he was allowed to lick the plates clean.[LNB]28 Just FontaineFontaine's place in World Cup history would seem to be safe for quitesome years to come. The Frenchman scored an amazing 13 goals in the1958 tournament, including four in the third placed play-off againstWest Germany.[LNB]His brilliant efforts in that World Cup means only GerdMuller and Ronaldo have scored more goals in tournament history.[LNB] Brilliant: Fontaine in action against Brazil in the 1958 semi-final[LNB]27 John AldridgeHe always seemed like such a mild-mannered chap, but boy did Aldridgelose his cool in the intense heat at the 1994 World Cup.[LNB]The Irishmandesperately wanted to come on as a substitute during the group gameagainst Mexico, and when the fourth official didn't allow him to comeon he remonstrated wildly and let out a stream of foul-mouthedexpletives.[LNB] Angry: John Aldridge remonstrates with the fourth official during Ireland's clash with Mexico at the 1994 World Cup[LNB]26 Carlos ValderramaA fine midfielder, and highly distinguished servant of Colombia. Heenjoys the rare distinction of not only playing in three World Cups,but being captain at those tournaments in 1990, 1994 and 1998.[LNB]That'sall fine, but what has elevated Valderrama to legendary status and aplace in our list is that glorious hair of his.[LNB]That huge blond permedaffair made him one of the most recognisable players of his generation.[LNB] Eye-catching: Carlos Valderrama in action against Germany in the 1990 World Cup[LNB]25 Frank Rijkaard & Rudi VollerNow that was a World Cup night to remember. We all know that theGermans and Dutch have never been the best of friends, but the rivalryspilt over in unsavoury fashion during their second round clash in1990.[LNB]Rijkaard spat in Voller's hair, and when the German then wentdown easily looking for a penalty the Dutchman twisted his ear andstamped on his foot.[LNB]Both men were sent off, and as they departedRijkaard again spat in Voller's hair. The Dutchman later admitted thathe was at fault for the incident.[LNB] Infamous: Frank Rijkaard spits at Rudi Voller during Germany's clash with Holland at the 1990 World Cup[LNB]24 Paul BreitnerQuite rightly a legend in Germany after his starring role in theirWorld Cup success of 1974, when he scored their equaliser from thepenalty spot in the final against Holland.[LNB]Eight years later Breitnerscored in a second World Cup final, but it was only a consolation forWest Germany against Italy. Enough about the football though, good ashe was - let's remember that amazing hair.[LNB]Breitner was nicknamed 'DerAfro' for that extraordinary perm.[LNB] Simply great hair: Gerd Muller and Paul Breitner celebrate West Germany's World Cup win in 1974[LNB]23 Roberto BaggioOne of the finest players of his generation, it would only seem rightthat Baggio be remembered first and foremost for his brilliance, withhis stunning solo effort against Czechoslovakia in 1990 widelyregarded as the best goal of the tournament.[LNB]Sadly for him however,Baggio's most famous moment probably came in the final of 1994 in LosAngeles, when he ballooned his penalty over the cross bar, handingvictory to Brazil.[LNB] Bitter blow: Roberto Baggio can only look to the ground in disappointment after his penalty miss handed World Cup victory to Brazil in 1994[LNB]22 Mario KempesKempes played in three World Cups, but it will always be for his brilliantcontribution in the 1978 tournament for which he is first remembered.[LNB]Thestriker had been in brilliant form for Valencia before the tournament,and he didn't disappoint millions of Argentinians in the finals. Kempesscored both goals in victory over Poland and two more in a 6-0 win overPeru to help the hosts to the final.[LNB]His two goals, and assist forBertoni to score the other, in Argentina's 3-1 victory over Holland in the final earned him a permanent place in footballfolklore - and produced one of the most iconic images in World Cup history.[LNB] Pure magic: Mario Kempes celebrates after scoring in the 1978 World Cup final[LNB][LNB]21 Sir Bobby RobsonThe reaction following Sir Bobby's death last year spoke volumes aboutthe affection in which he was held by the British public, and indeed byfootball folk across the world.[LNB]Sir Bobby suffered more than his fairshare of criticism during his England reign, but when it came to twoWorld Cups his teams performed with great credit. England overcame aslow start to reach the quarter-finals in 1986, when they were beatenby Diego Maradona's 'Hand of God' and magical feet.[LNB]Four years later,Robson's England came closer than at any time since 1966 to claimingfootball's greatest prize. Victories over Belgium and Cameroon set up asemi-final against West Germany that will never be forgotten by anybodywho saw it.[LNB]To sum up, England probably should have won but didn't.Damn and curse those penalties.[LNB] The best of the rest of The ListSportsmail's top 50 World Cup kitsSportsmail'stop 50 manager quotesSportsmail'stop 50 players to have never won the titleSportsmail's top 50 signings of the seasonSportsmail's top 50 most entertaining teams in historySportsmail's top 50 of golf's major miraclesSportsmail's top 50 National Hunt HorsesSportsmail'stop 50 Premier League players of the decadeSportsmail'stop 50 last-gasp goals in British footballSportsmail'stop 50 footballers never to play at the World CupSportsmail's top 50 sporting feuds of all timeSportsmail's 50 great sports photographsSportsmail'stop 50 commentators of all timeSportsmail'stop 50 sporting venuesSportsmail'stop 50 performers of the season so farSportsmail'stop 50 all-time managers in BritainSportsmail'stop 50 goal poachersSportsmail'stop 50 footballing traitorsSportsmail'stop 50 FA Cup heroesSportsmail'sgreatest Wembley finals in historySportsmail'stop 50 biggest hitters in cricketSportsmail'stop 50 British & Irish LionsSportsmail'stop 50 Ashes heroesSportsmail'stop 50 players of the Premier League season
