The greatest ever?

[slack_pie]

Great shout. Doesn't have the relentless stats of Ronaldo or Messi, but in terms of the sheer child-like joy you get from watching him play he might be the player I rank highest.

Gazza would be up there too on that basis.

Yeah, there were a couple of seasons at Barcelona where he was just the best. I think Real Madrid fans even started applauding him one game when he absolutely destroyed them.

[drillerpie]

Thirded for Cruyff.

Can't believe nobody has mentioned George Best.

Keegan, Dalglish and Souness, would have stood out as even more special in their prime at any other club than Liverpool.

How do you compare goalkeepers or center backs with front players?

We give creative players who played years ago like Maradona and Pele extra credit for the rough treatment they had to put up with, so is it fair to also mark physically intimidating, tough-tackling players Souness down because they got away with murder at that time?

(I know it's unfair to describe Souness as Vinnie Jones with a moustache, he was more than that, but just curious to know what you think about the general point).

[drillerpie]

Yeah, there were a couple of seasons at Barcelona where he was just the best. I think Real Madrid fans even started applauding him one game when he absolutely destroyed them.

All with a smile on his face no doubt! One of the very few footballers who always looked like he was actually enjoying it.

[legs77]

He is without doubt one of the best im not old enough to have seen the likes of Pele Eusebio Cruyff.

Paulo Maldini is a great of the game but not get mentioned in the same bracket as attackers.

I would say Messi is the best ive seen live and with my own eyes.

One doubt I have with modern players is how would they have reacted in 60-80's where the tackles were brutal, I have no doubt Diego would destroy teams in this era especially with the protection they get now.

[slack_pie]

All with a smile on his face no doubt! One of the very few footballers who always looked like he was actually enjoying it.

Exactly! He played in the highest-pressure games like he was having so much fun. I can't think of anyone else who has done that in the same way.

[i961pie]

Exactly! He played in the highest-pressure games like he was having so much fun. I can't think of anyone else who has done that in the same way.

Pele

[crazyfists]

Only one shout for Brazilian Ronaldo so far? 2nd best ever to Maradona for me, frightening, even with missing half his best years with injuries.

This.

[slack_pie]

I think if Brazilian Ronaldo had been able to stay fit and had the crazy drive that C Ronaldo has, he would have been pretty much the greatest striker ever. But the way it went, you can't help but feel that despite his incredible achievements, he didn't quite live up to his huge potential. When fit and on form, he was pretty much in a league of his own.

[legs77]

I think if Brazilian Ronaldo had been able to stay fit and had the crazy drive that C Ronaldo has, he would have been pretty much the greatest striker ever. But the way it went, you can't help but feel that despite his incredible achievements, he didn't quite live up to his huge potential. When fit and on form, he was pretty much in a league of his own.

As an out and out striker the best I’ve seen along with Van Basten.

He did win 2 World Cups and 2 Copa America’s so he is a legend in Brazil.

Never won a champions league but still had an excellent club career/record but without injury would have been even better.

[BigFatPie]

Maradona by far and away for me. Won a World Cup pretty much single handed and also did it at club level as well. The Brazilian Ronaldo is runner up for similar reasons, though he played with better players in 2002.

I’ve seen Messi play in the flesh, but the best player I’ve ever seen live is Lineker. His movement off the ball was worth the admission price alone.