Diego Maradona
Diego Maradona (1960–2020) was an Argentine football icon, widely regarded as one of the greatest players in history, known for his extraordinary dribbling, vision, and ball control. Rising from humble beginnings in Buenos Aires, he achieved global stardom by leading Argentina to victory in the 1986 World Cup, famously scoring both the controversial "Hand of God" goal and the spectacular "Goal of the Century" against England.
The "Maradona" (also known as the Roulette, 360-degree spin, or Marseille turn) is a signature soccer dribbling skill that perfectly encapsulates the technical brilliance and low-center-of-gravity agility of Argentine icon Diego Maradona. While the move was actually introduced earlier by French striker Yves Mariot, it became synonymous with Diego Maradona in the 1980s, as he frequently used its smooth, "ballet-dancer" motion to pirouette over the ball and escape pressure in tight spaces. To execute the move, a player shields the ball with their body while dragging it backward with the sole of one foot, quickly spinning 360 degrees to drag the ball away with the opposite foot, effectively leaving defenders stranded. Though later perfected and made equally famous by Zinedine Zidane, the move remains named after Maradona because his version was considered the most elegant and effective, often leaving opponents stunned by the combination of speed and protection.
Thierry Henry
Thierry Henry is widely regarded as one of the greatest strikers in soccer history, defined by his breathtaking speed, technical elegance, and lethal finishing, particularly during his legendary eight-year tenure at Arsenal. As the club’s all-time leading scorer with 228 goals in all competitions, he was the talisman of the "Invincibles" team that went unbeaten in the 2003–04 Premier League season. A French international icon, Henry won the 1998 FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 2000, retiring as his country's top scorer with 51 goals. Beyond his accomplishments in London, he achieved further success by winning a historic treble with FC Barcelona in 2009, cementing a legacy as a complete forward who brought "va-va-voom" to the beautiful game.
Kylian Mbappé
Kylian Mbappé is a French professional footballer widely regarded as one of the best players in the world, renowned for his blistering speed, clinical finishing, and remarkable composure under pressure. Born in 1998 in the Paris suburbs, he exploded onto the scene with AS Monaco before becoming a global icon at Paris Saint-Germain, where he became the club's all-time top goalscorer. Mbappé achieved international stardom at just 19 years old by helping France win the 2018 World Cup—scoring in the final—and later won the Golden Boot at the 2022 World Cup after a historic hat-trick in the final. Known for his "mental maturity" and ability to perform on the biggest stages, he moved to Real Madrid in 2024 to continue his legacy as a generational talent.
Neymar Jr
Neymar Jr. is a globally renowned Brazilian football icon, celebrated for his exceptional dribbling, creative flair, and goal-scoring prowess. As Brazil's all-time top scorer (surpassing Pelé in 2023) and a key figure in winning the 2016 Olympic gold, he exemplifies the "jogo bonito" style. His career, spanning Santos, Barcelona, PSG, and Al Hilal, marks him as one of the most talented and influential players of his generation.
As of February 2026, Neymar is with his boyhood club, Santos FC, in Brazil, where he is recovering from a minor knee procedure performed in late December 2025. Having signed a contract extension through December 31, 2026, he is undergoing physical preparation and training with the squad to return to action, aiming to secure a spot in Brazil's 2026 World Cup squad.
