Most Fouls won in FIFA WC: The FIFA World Cup is the ultimate even for every player to showcase his magic and create lifelong memories.
When one’s name is announced in the World Cup squad, life seems to just stop as it takes time to soak in the opportunity for one to get through the moment.
Once the player enters the main event, it’s a chance to make or break your career and future in the sport.
Step up and you could be on the horizon, miss out and that could be the last opportunity an event of such seismic proportions.
Some of the most skilled, visionary players have been part of several World Cups and remain target men for their nations.
Fouls are a part of the sport and some of the most technically gifted, creative players get fouled by opposition in order to recover the ball.
Today, we look at certain players who won a number of fouls in a single WC campaign which helped their side create pressure.
Luis Cubilla
The winger was part of Uruguay’s team that played the 1970 World Cup in Mexico.
Such was his creativity, vision and quick feet that Cubilla won a number of fouls as opposition could not deal with his impressive skills.
Luis won a total of 32 fouls in the 1970 edition of the FIFA World Cup and is number 5 on this list.
He helped Uruguay finish 4th in that campaign after they lost 1-0 to West Germany in the 3rd place play-off contest.
Ariel Ortega
Also read: Top 5 nations with most international football trophies; see list
The Argentine attacking midfielder/forward represented the nation in 3 successive World Cups (1998,2002 and 2006).
Ortega was playing his first World Cup in 1998, France where he won 33 fouls from the opposition. Ariel was known for his pace, mobility, dribbling and dead ball situational skills.
This was a roadblock for opposition players as they couldn’t get to grips with Ortega’s skills and would end up fouling him.
Classic Argentina Number 10s
#10 Ariel Ortega
Made his name alongside Gallardo & Francescoli at River Plate in the 90s, his dribbling & vision had him tagged the “New Maradona”. Wore Argentina’s no.10 shirt at WC98, 1st time since 78 anyone other than Maradona had worn it at WC pic.twitter.com/dApI1eYgVj
— The Culture of Football Classics (@CFclassics) June 30, 2020
Ariel was a player who never lived up to potential but the 1998 event was one where he showcased his magic.
La Albiceleste secured a Quarter-final finish in that edition after losing in the knockouts to Netherlands.
Diego Maradona
The next 3 names on this list are none other than Argentina’s greatest, Diego Maradona.
Diego was one of a kind and football’s most gifted player in terms of skills, creativity and ability to win matches on his own.
Maradona drew 36, 50 and 53 fouls respectively during the 1982, 1990 and 1986 World Cups.
🇦🇷 Diego Maradona suffered a record 53 fouls at Mexico 1986. Overall, he won a stupefying 152 free-kicks at the #WorldCup, easily more than his nearest rival, Jairzinho (64). It was simply the only way to stop the mind-blowing talent that was ‘El Pibe de Oro’ 🧙♂️ https://t.co/sfbEIHSJ3b pic.twitter.com/QLVKXbfF1w
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) April 15, 2021
Such was the style of play which the genius possessed that apart from fouling him, there was minute scope of getting the ball from him.
His dribbling, technical ability was second to none and during the three World Cup’s; the world witnessed greatness before their eyes.
53 fouls drawn during the victorious 1986 WC campaign saw the best of Maradona as he helped Argentina to the summit of football in Mexico City.
Maradona currently holds the record for most assists in the World Cup, 8 and a large part of this is due to the fact that the ball could rarely be taken away from his grasp.
Shirt pulling and consistent kicks to the leg of Maradona while he had the ball at his feet were regular sights.
This showcased the magic that Diego Maradona brought onto and left behind during his reign at the top.
