Fun Fact: Miroslav Klose holds the record for the most World Cup goals. He achieved this incredible 16-goal feat across FOUR World Cups from 2002 to 2014.

Continuing our series, we will look at the best players who wore the Number 4 shirt to the last four World Cup tournaments.

4. Patrick Vieira (Germany 2006)

Vieira was a key member of France’s team that finished as runner-up to Italy at the 2006 World Cup. Playing next to Claude Makelele in a double pivot, he contributed two goals and two assists. Luiz captained France against debutants Togo and scored the game’s first goal. He earned the Man of the match award after providing the vital assist for Thierry Henry’s goal, which helped France to a 2-0 win.

Vieira started the final against Italy but was substituted due to an injury as France lost the game on penalties to Italy. Despite his combative and tenacious style of play, Vieira was an epitome of grace in possession of the ball.

3. John Paintsil (South Africa 2010)

Ghana’s explosive right-back makes it to our list as he featured in all five games as the Black Stars were one successful Asamoah Gyan penalty away from becoming the first African country to reach the semi-final of a World Cup.

Paintsil had an unusual habit of playing with one long and one short sleeve and was often seen wearing the long sleeve on his left arm and leaving his right arm bare. He attributed this habit to a dream where he played exceptionally well in that outfit and decided to adopt the approach in the future.

2.  David Luiz (Brazil 2014)

Nicknamed “Sideshow Bob” by opposition fans due to his striking resemblance with the character from “The Simpsons,” David Luiz was undoubtedly one of Brazil’s standout performers at the 2014 World Cup.

David Luiz’s physical strength, high work rate, composure, and ability to drive the ball forward earned him a spot in the Tournament’s Dream Team. Luiz rejected advances from Portugal to represent them in favour of Brazil and scored his first International goal in a 1-1 draw against Chile. He also scored the team’s first kick in the shootout as Brazil advanced.

His major highlight came in the quarter-final game against Colombia, where he scored a brilliant free-kick from 35-yards to win the game for Brazil. Sadly, he will be remembered as Brazil’s Captain in the absence of Thiago Silva as the hosts were demolished 7-1 by Germany.

1.  Raphael Varane (Russia 2018)

Varane’s technical ability and composure in defence earned him comparisons with Real Madrid and Spain legend Fernando Hierro. He started and played in all seven games for France as they won the World Cup for the second time.

Les Bleus seemed to have evoked the spirit of 98 on Russian soil as he matched the record set by his compatriot, Christian Karembeu, to become the fourth player in history to win the World Cup and Champions League in the same year.

Varane powered home a header in France’s 2-0 win over Uruguay in the quarter-final and was voted into the Team of the Tournament by fans on FIFA’s official website. www.fifa.com.