Football's Greatest Stage

The story of Pelé taking the World Cup by the scruff of the neck at the age of 17 is legend, and we all know what we went on to do after that. On the cusp of reunification, West Germany triumphed in 1990, while a couple of French legends helped their nation to the peak of World Cup glory in 1998.

He is one of the game's all-time greats. Flawed, yet adored across the globe. Diego Maradona's footprint on football is unparalleled. The World Cup of 1974 - where Beckenbauer and Cruyff stole the show in West Germany. The heroics of Spain's Iker Casillas, to the horror of Luis Suarez's bite, this is Football's Greatest Stage.

From a Dutch footballing legend who made his name at the World Cup, to the greats of the game who never set foot at the world's biggest tournament. We cast an eye over England's fabled 1966 triumph, and a revered German manager - an apprentice who became a master on Football's Greatest Stage.

The World Cup is full of heart-rending stories, but not many pull at the heart strings like that of Spain's Andrés Iniesta and Xavi. Dino Zoff, the man who inspired Italy to victory in 1982 is another great tale. Then there's the fun and games of Vuvuzelas, Mexican Waves and WAGS. There's much to discuss on Football's Greatest Stage.

As we traverse the history of the World Cup, we revisit the wizard that was France's Zinedine Zidane, and look back on Brazil's Cafu, whose destiny on the world stage seemed preordained. For Northern Ireland's Harry Gregg, his footprint was much more profound. And then there was Guus Hiddink - the brains behind South Korea's inspired run on home soil, on Football's Greatest Stage.

A World Cup hero for West Germany, Franz Beckenbauer is enshrined in his country's football folklore. A captain turned coach, Dunga inspired Brazil to glory in 1994, but came up heartbreakingly short in 2014. And Gordon Banks - who kept it clean for England on the way to greatness in 1966.