15 football icons every fan should know

Some players don't just win trophies, they change how football is played. These 15 legends are all in HeyFootball's Icons pack, along with more than 30 other greats. Here's why each one matters.

Pelé (Brazil)

The only player to win three World Cups: 1958, 1962 and 1970. He burst onto the scene as a 17-year-old in Sweden in 1958 and became the face of Brazil's golden era. For many fans he's simply the greatest of all time.

Diego Maradona (Argentina)

Maradona captained Argentina to the 1986 World Cup. In one quarter-final against England he scored both the infamous "Hand of God" and the "Goal of the Century", dribbling past half the England team. He then led Napoli to their first Serie A titles, in 1987 and 1990.

Johan Cruyff (Netherlands)

The face of Total Football, where every outfield player could switch positions. Cruyff won three Ballon d'Ors (1971, 1973 and 1974) and three European Cups in a row with Ajax. His famous "Cruyff turn" at the 1974 World Cup is still copied in parks everywhere. Look it up in our glossary.

Alfredo Di Stéfano (Argentina / Spain)

The driving force of the Real Madrid side that won the first five European Cups in a row, from 1956 to 1960. He scored in all five finals.

Ferenc Puskás (Hungary)

The star of Hungary's "Mighty Magyars" and later Real Madrid. He scored four goals in the 1960 European Cup final as Madrid beat Eintracht Frankfurt 7-3. FIFA's award for the best goal of the year, the Puskás Award, is named after him.

Lev Yashin (Soviet Union)

The "Black Spider", famous for his all-black kit, is still the only goalkeeper ever to win the Ballon d'Or (1963). Today the award for the world's best goalkeeper is called the Yashin Trophy.

Franz Beckenbauer (West Germany)

"Der Kaiser" made the attacking sweeper role famous. He won the 1974 World Cup as captain and the 1990 World Cup as coach, one of the few people to win it both ways.

Gerd Müller (West Germany)

"Der Bomber" was the ultimate penalty-box striker, with 68 goals in 62 games for West Germany. He scored the winning goal in the 1974 World Cup final against the Netherlands.

Eusébio (Portugal)

Benfica's "Black Panther" won the European Cup in 1962, scoring twice in the final against Real Madrid. At the 1966 World Cup he was the top scorer with 9 goals, taking Portugal to third place.

Michel Platini (France)

A brilliant attacking midfielder who won three Ballon d'Ors in a row (1983, 1984 and 1985). He scored nine goals as France won Euro 1984 on home soil.

Marco van Basten (Netherlands)

Scorer of one of the most famous goals ever: an impossible-angle volley in the Euro 1988 final against the Soviet Union. He won three Ballon d'Ors before ankle injuries ended his career far too early.

Zinedine Zidane (France)

Two headers from Zidane won the 1998 World Cup final against Brazil. In 2002 he scored a stunning left-footed volley to win the Champions League final for Real Madrid, a club he later coached to three Champions League titles in a row.

Ronaldo Nazário (Brazil)

"O Fenómeno" combined pace, power and skill like nobody before him. He won two Ballon d'Ors (1997 and 2002) and scored 8 goals at the 2002 World Cup, including both in the final against Germany.

Ronaldinho (Brazil)

Pure joy with a ball. Ronaldinho won the 2002 World Cup and the 2005 Ballon d'Or. That same year Real Madrid's fans gave him a standing ovation at the Bernabéu after he tore their team apart for Barcelona.

Paolo Maldini (Italy)

One of the greatest defenders ever, Maldini spent his entire career at AC Milan, from 1985 to 2009, and won the European Cup / Champions League five times.

Collect them all

All of these legends, and more than 30 others including Garrincha, Iniesta, Xavi, Buffon and Henry, are in the Icons pack. They're mostly Legendary and Ultimate, which also makes them perfect for your dream team.