Curated playlist
2002 FIFA World Cup players
- Michael OwenBefore he turned twelve, footballer Michael Owen had broken Ian Rush's goalscoring record.
- Ronaldo (Brazilian footballer)Hours before the 1998 World Cup final, Ronaldo suffered a convulsive fit. He was dropped, then reinstated.
- Davor ŠukerDavor Šuker won the 1998 World Cup Golden Boot in Croatia's first World Cup. He scored six goals in seven matches.
- Miroslav KloseMiroslav Klose arrived in West Germany at eight knowing only two words of German.
- Zinedine ZidaneZinedine Zidane scored two headers from corners in the 1998 World Cup Final. France beat Brazil 3-0 in Paris.
- Landon DonovanLandon Donovan scored in the dying seconds to beat Algeria at the 2010 World Cup.
- Diego ForlánDiego Forlán was 45 years old when he received a wildcard into the main doubles draw of the 2024 Uruguay Open in Montevideo. It was his first professional ATP tournament. The man walking onto the court had spent two decades as one of the…
- Oliver KahnOliver Kahn won the 2002 World Cup's best player award after fumbling a goal in the final.
- Gabriel BatistutaGabriel Batistuta, Argentina's top scorer, once asked a doctor to amputate his legs.
- Gianluigi BuffonGianluigi Buffon reached three Champions League finals and lost all three. The Italian goalkeeper never won the trophy.
- Iker CasillasAs a child, goalkeeper Iker Casillas forgot to post his father's winning pool entry.
- Fabien BarthezGoalkeeper Fabien Barthez once refused to defend a penalty until an official forced him back into goal.
- Rafael MárquezRafael Márquez is the only defender to captain a team at five World Cups. The Mexican played in 2002 through 2018.
- Robert ProsinečkiRobert Prosinečki is the only player to score World Cup goals for two national teams.