Simple question.. who is THE greatest??

[the rev leeroy brown]

was going to vote for maradona, but given that i beleive he ruined his career, no amount of skill can hide the fact that zidane was the most inspirational player of his generation - not to mention world cup, euro champ, champs league, italian league, spanish league, countless cup winner - and the most phenomenal first touch a footballer has ever been gifted with.....would have loved to see him grace the anfield pitch playing in the red shirt!!

[AFII]

Maradona.

He could take a lot of punishment but still delivered week in week out. He almost took a very poor Argentina to the title in the 90 WC and totally dominated the 86 WC.

[fah-q]

I'd say Pele, then Maradona then its a crap shoot between Cruyff, Zidane, Puskas and Baggio.

[fah-q]

Maradona.

He could take a lot of punishment but still delivered week in week out. He almost took a very poor Argentina to the title in the 90 WC and totally dominated the 86 WC.

You mean the other way round, they won in 86 and lost in the final in 90.

[Johnny]

Most definately George Best.
Played in an era when a wet ball weighed about 2 kilos and still kept it stuck to his toes.
Marradonna had plenty of bad games.

[Shaggy]

Aye, it's unfashionable, because he was so good that it's corny to rate him - Maradonna could do the bull run thing but that was it. Pele was intelligent and could do everything. A cultured footballer, rather than a pitbull. Also I think you have to like someone to admire them, and Maradonna is a scumbag.

When I was a kid I read that scientists tested Pele and said that he would have excelled at any sport he chosen, athletics, basketball, whatever. He was a physical marvel. Can't say that about that stumpy runt whose main strength was that he was wider than he was tall and had the morals of a pick pocket.

Pele was decades ahead of his time and raised the bar not only for the amazing quality of his football, but also set the highest standards for how to play football.

Maybe it's a coincidence that Maradonna seems popular with Thatcher's generation...

Both played in four world cups, but compare Pele's inspirational debuts in '58 with Maradonna's in '82 when he was sent off for serious foul play and Pele's majestic performances in '70 with Maradonna's self embarassment in '94.

Who do you want you kid to idolise? Well Rushy or Kenny, obviously...

I can't state Pele's case with as much conviction as I'd like, cos I never saw him play.

For me the best barometer is to listen to the opinions of people (whose opinion you respect, obviously) who saw them both play.

The majority of 'this generation' nearly always say Maradona - as evidenced by the votes in this poll, so far - but most of us saw him in his pomp and it's natural that people should side with the Argentine.

But of the people I've listened to, who saw them both, it is overwhelmingly in Pele's favour and that, combined with my own opinion based on what I've seen and what I know of Pele, means I go along with it.

Maradona was awesome, but for me he's in that group behind Pele - comprising the likes of Cruyff, Best, Di Stefano, Puskas, Dalglish and Zidane.

[CJ]

Maradona for me.

[Radar]

Harry Kewell

[GreystonesLFC_WTF]

For me, Maradona is the best player ever. Followed by in no particular order, Di Stephano, Eusebio, Pele, Puskas, Brehme, Overath, Giles. Simply to take the piss on the last one.

Maradona for me every day, the rest a toss up for third behind Pele(I know he's is in the 'no particular order list,but he was a absolute lengend!).

[loco_law]

Pele. Bar none, hands down winner. End of. I saw hime play in the NASL (NY Cosmos against our Bruce Grobbelaar playing for the Vancouver Whitecaps) and regardless of him being in the twilight of his career, he was an absolute marvel. Stunning runs, intelligent passes and movement, and was still head and shoulders above.

2 thru 5 could be anyone from Maradona, Cruyff, Di Stephano, Dixie Dean, etc.

[knockers]

I've gone for Pele although I never saw him play his goal stats and world cup performances deserve the title. In all honesty I truly believe Messi will become one of the best players the world has seen even eclipsing the other little Argie. A special mention also has to go out for Zidane, what a brilliant all round player.

[PTP]

Pele

[Neil Young]

Bradman.

[Parm]

for me it is diego, just out of this world.
But I must also say that I have always rated Robbie baggio

[Red Chilli]

Bradman.

Batsman? Yes, but not all round cricketer. That honour would go to Sir Garfield.