Veteran reporter Jeff Powell MBE has shared his personal ranking of 12 World Cup finals he witnessed throughout his long career.. As the football world prepares for the 23rd World Cup final, these recollections offer a historical perspective on the sport's grandest stage.

The physical toll of the 1990 Rome final

The 1990 final at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome was defined as much by player suffering as by the 1-0 victory for West Germany. Diego Maradona played through immense pain, with his ankles so swollen from previous matches that his boots required cutting to fit his feet. The 73 ,603 fans in attendance witnessed a match decided by an 85th-minute penalty from Andreas Brehme.

This match also marked a significant historical milestone for Franz Beckenbauer. as the report says, his victory made him the first individual to win the World Cup as both a captain and a manager.

Maradona's shadow over the 1994 Pasadena final

The 1994 final at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena was overshadowed by off-field controversy involving Diego Maradona. According to the report, Powell provided an exclusive revelation regarding Maradona's failed drug test, which led to his expulsion from the tournament.

While Brazil eventually secured a 3-2 penalty shootout victory against Italy, the match was marked by individual heartbreak. The 94,164 specctators witnessed the first goalless World Cup final after extra time, a match where Roberto Baggio missed a crucial penalty and Romario appeared subdued in the heat.

Germany's extra-time triumph in Rio de Janeiro

The 2014 final held at the Maracana in Rio de Janeiro saw Germany claim its first World Cup title since reunification.. The match remained tense until Mario Gotze scored the decisive goal during extra time to defeat Argentina 1-0.

Despite the 74,738 fans in attendance, the match was described as largely uneventful until the final moments. Lionel Messi came close to changing the outcome, but ultimately watched the Germans lift the trophy on Brazilian soil, marking a significant moment in modern football history.

Zidane’s dominance and Ronaldo’s 1998 seizure

France's 3-0 victory over Brazil at the Stade de France in 1998 was a moment of high drama for the host nation. The match was billed as a massive showdown between Ronaldo and Zinedine Zidane, but was preceded by intense concern for the Brazilian star, who suffered a seizure before the game began.

Zinedine Zidane rose to the occasion in front of 80,000 fans, scoring two headers from corner kicks to stun the visitors. Emmanuel Petit added a third late in the game, ensuring a dominant performance that marked a high point for French football.

The misisng top eight rankings in Powell's list

While the provided details offer a glimpse into the lower end of the journalist's rankings, several key pieces of information remain unverified.. The source only details the 12th through 9th ranked finals, leaving the identity of the top eight matches a mystery to the public.

Furthermore, it is unclear how the 1966 Wembley final, which marked the start of Jeff Powell MBE's journey, compares to the more recent matches he has ranked. Until the full list is released, the complete hierarchy of his 12-final career remains an open question for football historians.