The Top 10 – Panini FIFA World Cup France 1998

Hernan Crespo was a striker known for his lethal goal-scoring ability, intelligent movement, and aerial prowess. His playing style relied on clinical finishing, finding space in the box, and timing of his runs. Crespo was particularly skilled at scoring with his head and also had a strong and accurate shot with both feet, making him a constant threat to opposition defences.

Crespo had very limited game time during the tournament because there was an in-form Gabriel Batistuta leading the line, who scored 5 goals! (I must note, extremely unlucky to not make this list! Crespo was reduced to one 1 substitute appearance. He has made the list because of his incredible club career playing for big teams such as: River Plate, Parma, AC Milan, Inter Milan, Genoa, Lazio and Chelsea.

In his career he scored 274 club goals and 35 in 64 for Argentina!

Alessandro Nesta was renowned for his impeccable defensive skills, intelligence, and leadership on the field. His playing style was marked by exceptional reading of the game, precise tackling, superb positioning, and excellent aerial ability. Nesta specialised in intercepting passes, breaking up opposition attacks, and organising the defensive line.

Nesta in his club career helped form one of the most formidable defences football has seen! Often partnering with Maldini or Costacurta, Nesta and AC Milan had many successful seasons! During the 1998 FIFA World Cup, Nesta was a key member of the Italian national team. Although Italy faced disappointment in the tournament, being eliminated in the quarterfinals by eventual champions France, Nesta’s performances were noteworthy. He played in all group matches but was ruled out of the latter stages with inury.

Here is his international rookie sticker. This is a great sticker in my opinion, especially because of his 2006 World Cup triumph.

David Trezeguet was deadly in front of goal! He possessed clinical finishing, physical presence, and intelligent movement off the ball. Trezeguet possessed excellent instincts inside the box, often finding himself in the right position to capitalise on crosses and loose balls. He was also known for his powerful and accurate shooting, capable of scoring with both feet and his head.

His best football came at Juventus, where he spent 11 seasons, bagging 171 goals! During the 1998 World Cup, Trezeguet played a significant role in France’s triumph as they clinched their first-ever World Cup title. Although he didn’t start every match, he made valuable contributions off the bench, providing depth and firepower to the French attack. Trezeguet managed to score once in the tournament, letting the world know he has a big future ahead.

The sticker here is his international rookie sticker, which actually coincides with his true rookie sticker as it was made in the same year. His France Foot rookie sticker came first.

Paul Scholes is widely known as one of the greatest ever English midfielders! We all know the debate: Gerrard, Lampard or Scholes? Scholes was renowned for his exceptional passing ability, vision, and intelligence on the field. He possessed outstanding technique, enabling him to control the midfield with ease and dictate the tempo of the game. Scholes was known for his accurate long-range passing, incisive through balls, and terrifying long shots!

During the tournament, played a significant role in midfield. Despite England’s early elimination from the tournament in the Round of 16, Scholes showcased his quality with his passing range and ability to link midfield and attack. He managed a goal in the group stage against Tunisia!

The amount of thing this guy has gone onto win with Manchester United is insane! I think very under appreciated in the hobby and undervalued! Here his first sticker with England is a great one for the long term!

Raul, the legendary forward, was known for his versatility, intelligence, and clinical finishing ability. He possessed excellent movement off the ball, making him a constant threat in the attacking third. Raul was equally adept at scoring goals with both feet and his head, demonstrating remarkable accuracy and composure in front of goal. He had the ability to constantly score big goals for Real Madrid.

Raul played in every match for Spain in the tournament, scoring in the opening match. Unfortunately, it was a poor tournament for Spain and they exited in the group stages. Raul spent an incredible 16 seasons leading the line for Real Madrid. Thats right 16!

In his time there he scored 323 goals, won 6 La Liga titles and 3 UCL titles! An absolutely insane career and thats why he has made the list!

Christian Vieri was the text book number 9! Known for his physicality, aerial prowess, and clinical finishing, was one of the most formidable strikers of his time. Vieri possessed great strength, which he used to hold off defenders and create space for himself in the box. His heading ability was exceptional, making him a constant threat from crosses and set pieces.

Vieri lead the line for Italy during the 1998 World Cup. He played a pivotal role in their campaign, scoring five goals throughout the tournament, including crucial goals in the knockout stages. Vieri’s ability to find the back of the net under pressure helped Italy reach the quarterfinals, where they were eventually eliminated by the eventual champions.

Vieri’s performances in the 1998 World Cup let the world know who he was! His best football came after the tournament including an incredible 6 season run at Inter Milan where he scored 123 goals! That is 20 goals a season in an area where the Serie A had the best defenders! I like this sticker. I imagine it as the true beginning of prime Christian Vieri!

Ronaldo, the Fenômeno, was one of the most talented and explosive strikers in football history. Renowned for his incredible speed, agility, and dribbling skills, Ronaldo possessed an innate ability to glide past defenders effortlessly. His quick acceleration and close control made him a nightmare for opposing defenders to contain.

Nearly everyone knows how good this guy was! In the 1998 FIFA World Cup, Ronaldo was Brazil’s as their star striker, as he led them to the World Cup Final! Despite facing immense pressure and expectations, Ronaldo had an impressive tournament, scoring four goals, winning the Golden Ball for the tournament.

However, Ronaldo’s participation in the final was shrouded in controversy after suffering a mysterious pre-match medical incident. Despite speculation about his fitness, Ronaldo was included in the starting lineup but appeared to be a shadow of his usual self during the match, which Brazil lost 3-0 to France.

Any stickers of Ronaldo the Fenômeno and amazing for everyone to collect! This one, I think, is especially great as it’s a Golden Ball winning sticker and has a story behind it!

Zinedine Zidane, commonly known as Zizou, was a maestro on the football field renowned for his elegant playing style and exceptional skill. Many believe he is the greatest ever midfielder and there definitely is an argument for that!

Zidane possessed superb technique, vision, and creativity, making him a master orchestrator of the game. His close control, dribbling ability, and precise passing allowed him to dictate the tempo of matches and create scoring opportunities for his teammates. Imagine all this and done to perfection with elegance and that is Zidane!

In the 1998 World Cup, Zidane played a pivotal role in leading France to victory on home soil. He showcased his incredible talent throughout the tournament, demonstrating his ability to influence games with his exquisite ball control and playmaking prowess. Zidane’s standout performance came in the final against Brazil, where he scored two headed goals from corner kicks, securing a 3-0 victory for France and their first-ever World Cup title.

This sticker is Zidane’s first ever world cup and already is extremely valuable. Get it while you can!

Thierry Henry was a prolific striker known for his exceptional pace, agility, and clinical finishing. With a combination of speed and technical ability, he terrorised defenders and was a constant threat in front of goal. Henry’s playing style was by his supreme confidence border-lining on arrogance. He had an aura that defenders could feel before the match.

During the 1998 FIFA World Cup, Henry was a rising star in the French national team. Although he did not play a prominent role in the tournament, his presence and potential were evident. Henry showcased glimpses of his talent and provided valuable contributions as a substitute, helping France secure their historic victory on home soil. He displayed his blistering speed, getting on the scoresheet 3 times.

Despite not being a regular starter in the 1998 World Cup, Henry’s performances laid the foundation for his future success. As most of us know, he has gone onto be Arsenal’s greatest ever player, scoring 226 goals for the club! This is probably the most valuable sticker on this set. Very early in one of the greats career!

Juan Roman Riquelme is the best Rookie Sticker in Panini FIFA World Cup France 1998.

Juan Roman Riquelme was a gifted playmaker known for his exceptional vision, passing accuracy, and ball control. He possessed a unique ability to dictate the tempo of the game from midfield, orchestrating attacking moves with his precise distribution and intelligent movement off the ball. Riquelme was also renowned for his creativity, often unlocking defences with his incisive through balls and exquisite first touch.

During the 1998 FIFA World Cup, Riquelme was a rising talent in the Argentine national team. Although he did not feature in the tournament. He was still a very young man and the best was ahead of him.

Riquelme is a very interesting player. In his youth at Boca, he was unstoppable and considered one of the best youngsters in the world running the show in the 10. He earned a move to Barcelona, it didn’t quite click for him and then Ronaldinho came. His best football came at Villarreal, where he dominated the La Liga for 4 seasons before making the unexpected decision to return home to Boca Juniors.

Riquelme’s legacy at Boca Juniors is nothing short of legendary. During his time at the club, Riquelme became one of the most iconic figures in Boca’s illustrious history. His time at Boca Juniors was marked by numerous achievements, including multiple domestic league titles and Copa Libertadores triumphs. His performances in the blue and gold jersey earned him adoration from Boca fans, who affectionately referred to him as “El Diez” (The Number Ten), a nod to his iconic role as the team’s playmaker.

Maybe he is a case of lack of ambition. On the other hand, one could argue he chose passion over ambition. One thing is for certain, Riquelme was one of the most gifted footballers to grace the planet. In Argentina is widely considered third, behind only Messi and Maradona! Needless to say, this is one of my favourite rookie stickers – what a player!