Jules Rimet

Born in 1873, Rimet founded Red Star Club Français in 1897, then climbed French football's ranks to lead the national federation from 1919. He took the FIFA presidency in 1921 and held it for 33 years, longer than anyone before or since. His signature move came in 1930: launching the first World Cup, a gamble that Uruguay hosted and won. The tournament grew into the planet's most-watched sporting event, and the trophy was later named for him. He left office in 1954, two years before his death at 83.