5 - Ronaldo's Redemption

After a dismal performance in the 1998 France World Cup finale, which saw Ronaldo hobbled by injury in the final game against the host nation (including being left off the starting lineup up until 45 minutes prior to the game), the Brazilian star bounced back in the 2002 Japan / South Korea World Cup in a major way, returning to the finals and scoring two goals, in the 67th and 79th minute of the match, in the championship game against Germany. Ronaldo led the 2002 World Cup tournament with eight goals, adding to his all-time 15 goals in tournament history (a record tied recently by Miroslave Klose in the 2014 Brazil World Cup), giving Brazil their fifth World Cup title in history and the nickname Pentacampeões.

4 - Roberto Baggio PK Struggles for Italy Give Brazil a Fourth World Cup

Brazil had to defeat a scrappy host United States team in the Round of 16, playing on Independence Day and needing a late goal by Bebeto in the 72nd minute to advance to the quarterfinals. Bebeto, along with Romario -- who scored five goals in the tournament -- teamed up to dispose of the Netherlands in the quarterfinals and Sweden in the semifinals before facing Ballon d'Or winner Roberto Baggio and the Italian national team. After going the full 90 minutes and overtime, the game was decided on penalty kicks. With the game on the line, Baggio's penalty kick went over the crossbar, giving Brazil their fourth World Cup in team history.

3 - Pele's Last World Cup Dance

Considered one of the greatest World Cup teams ever assembled, Pelé -- making his fourth World Cup appearance -- along with Gérson, Jairzinho, Rivelino, and Tostáo -- ran through their competition having won all their qualifier games and World Cup matches en route to the 1970 Mexico World Cup championship. Scoring four goals, including one in the finals against Italy in their 4-1 victory, Pelé won the "Golden Ball" honors for the tournament -- awarded to the best player in the World Cup, riding off into the sunset with three World Cup titles in his career.

2 - Brazil Successfully Defends Their World Cup Title Without Pelé

Brazil, forced to play without their star phenom Pelé, after suffering an injury during a Group Stage match against Czechoslovakia that ended in a 0-0 draw, Amarildo and Garrincha stepped up for A Seleção, defeating Czechoslovakia in the 1962 Chile World Cup finals after Czechoslovakian goalkeeper Viliam Schrojf could not handle the Brazilian offensive assault in their rematch, giving up 3 goals to Amarildo, Zito, and Vavá, as Brazil became the first team to repeat as World Cup winners, establishing their dominance in the sport.

1 - Pelé Introduces Himself to the World to Win Brazil's First Championship 

While France's Just Fontaine had 13 goals in the 1958 Sweden World Cup, it was a 17-year-old by the name of Edson Arantes do Nascimento -- who the world would later know as simply Pelé -- who would steal the show. Host country Sweden scored first in the finals but Vavá, who tied the game up 1-1, and Pelé both scored two goals, defeating the Swedes 5-3 in the highest scoring World Cup final in history -- the first of Pele's three titles and Brazil's five championships.