Football Stars Who Played on the Sand

‘El Toro’ helped Zaragoza win the Copa del Rey, played in three World Cups and won 100 caps for Paraguay. Acuna operated as a defender for his country at Portugal 2015.

‘Needle’ netted Italy’s final goal in their 3-1 win over Germany in the Spain 1982 final, scored four times at Mexico 1986, excelled for Inter Milan and remains the Coppa Italia’s all-time leading marksman. Altobelli finished as joint-top scorer and outright-top scorer at the 1995 and ’96 editions of the Beach Soccer World Championship.

Hit a hat-trick on his international debut and became one of the most expensive footballers on the planet when he joined AC Milan in 1983. Blissett scored two late goals to complete his treble and help England, 6-3 down with just minutes remaining, edge Italy 7-6 in the bronze-medal match at Rio de Janeiro 1995.

One of the most talented players of his generation, the polarising forward won top-flight titles with Marseille, Leeds United and Manchester United. He represented the beach Bleus for almost 15 years. As a player, Cantona shone at the 2001 Beach Soccer World Championship as France finished runners-up to Portugal. As a player-coach, he helped them conquer the inaugural Beach Soccer World Cup in 2005.

‘The Baron’ won six Scudetti with Juventus and a World Cup with Italy, but his love of the ball didn’t end when he retired in 1988. Causio was named MVP as Italy ended Brazil’s reign of the World Cup of Masters in 1993, and two years later he helped them reach the Beach Soccer World Championship semi-finals.

One of the most exhilarating and greatest full-backs of all time, ‘Helmet’ was a focal feature of the great Flamengo and Brazil teams of the early ‘80s. He is widely regarded as one of the best-ever performers on the sand, having propelled A Seleção to six Beach Soccer World Championship crowns and, amazingly, been named MVP at four of them.

Juventus royalty and one of the greatest defenders of all time, his handcuffing of Diego Maradona and Zico was integral to Italy’s Spain 1982 triumph. Gentile played at the inaugural Beach Soccer World Championship in 1995, describing it as “much more difficult than football” but “great fun”.

The volley god was earmarked for sand long before he stopped scoring beauties in boots. He duly made the switch and scored a wonder goal against Germany, but never got to represent England in a Beach Soccer World Cup.

The Ipswich Town Hall of Famer helped them conquer the FA Cup and UEFA Cup was a key performer as England unexpectedly finished third at the inaugural Beach Soccer World Championship.
Image: John Scales and Russell Osman pose with the 2021 Kronenbourg Cup (Getty Image).

Starred for Zaragoza and Chelsea, and helped Uruguay stun reigning world champions Brazil in the Copa America 1995 final. Poyet helped Uruguay reach the quarter-finals at Rio de Janeiro 2005.

One of the greatest strikers in history, ‘Shortie’ inspired Brazil to USA ’94 glory and hit 55 goals in 70 internationals. Romario scored six goals and won a bronze medal at Rio de Janeiro 2005.

Thrived under Johan Cruyff in Barcelona’s ‘Dream Team’ and represented Spain in three World Cups. Salinas played in the Copacabana extravaganza in 2005.

Rene a PSV legend who represented the Netherlands in two World Cup finals, the winger scored an eye-popping volley against Uruguay in the 1995 Beach Soccer World Championship.

Willy Played alongside Rene at the inaugural Beach Soccer World Championship.

One of the greatest players in football history, the attacking midfielder was the poster boy of the Flamengo side that dominated Liverpool to become world champions in 1981 and the Brazil symphony that wowed the sport at Spain in 1982. Zico was brilliant on sand too, finishing as joint-leading marksman and MVP at the 1995 Beach Soccer World Championship and helping A Seleção defend their crown a year later.