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I think it's very difficult to pinpoint one player as 'the greatest' although I think Maradona would be one of a very short list of contenders. He and Pele were named joint winners of FIFA's player of the 20th Century, with Maradona topping the online poll that was run:-

https://www.fifa.com/news/pele-and-mara ... tens-76134

Certainly Maradona doesn't have the consistency or longevity of a Ronaldo or Messi, but then neither of them have had such a starring role in winning the World Cup for their country as Maradona did in 1986. Or transformed a club (Napoli) in quite the same way.

I think the other thing to consider is that Maradona played in an era where the greatest players were blatantly and cynically hacked down.

These days Ronaldo and Messi have it easy where defenders are scared to even make any contact.

Maradona is easily in the top three players of all time. Considering he played in Argentina, Spain and Italy, whereas Pele only played in Brazil, he might even be at the top.

Certainly in the top 3 or 4 of all time, I would say Jespafc.
Winning the world cup virtually single-handed not an high enough summit for you?

You said it.

Top 10 I'd say.

Can't wait to see the others in your top ten.
1) James Milner
2) David Batty
3) Vinny Samways
.......
10) Diego Maradona

Nah not Samways, he was too hot-headed. Milner gives you 100% and Batty was a midfield general. Not in my top 3, but top 10 contenders for sure. I'm going offline now for a bit Clarkey, so you'll have to wait until tomorrow for my other nominations.

A very, very good player, totally talented, but flawed, on and off the pitch.

The best ever ...... No, that must and always go to Pele, absolute genius. Just think of the 1970 world cup in Mexico.

He won a World Cup by cheating, got ‘chucked out’, of another, by taking drugs. That is not a genius, or a legend, behaves.

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I think it's very difficult to pinpoint one player as 'the greatest' although I think Maradona would be one of a very short list of contenders. He and Pele were named joint winners of FIFA's player of the 20th Century, with Maradona topping the online poll that was run:-

https://www.fifa.com/news/pele-and-mara ... tens-76134

Certainly Maradona doesn't have the consistency or longevity of a Ronaldo or Messi, but then neither of them have had such a starring role in winning the World Cup for their country as Maradona did in 1986. Or transformed a club (Napoli) in quite the same way.

I think the other thing to consider is that Maradona played in an era where the greatest players were blatantly and cynically hacked down.

These days Ronaldo and Messi have it easy where defenders are scared to even make any contact.

Maradona is easily in the top three players of all time. Considering he played in Argentina, Spain and Italy, whereas Pele only played in Brazil, he might even be at the top.

You have clearly not watched much of Messi if you don't think that he is cynically fouled in the same way players were back in the 90's. He has a hatchet job done on him most games, gets kicked all over the pitch, but always tries to stay on his feet and carry on playing. Maybe if you had watched La Liga on a consistent basis over the last 10 years you would actually know that.

Fitting he died on the 19t anniversary of the greatest Brit I've ever seen play.

Georgie and Maradona playing keepie up, I wonder who'd win.

I don't think he was overrated, but he wasn't my cup of tea I must admit. The hand of God tarnished him in my book.

This for me too. I watched the 'Hand of God' game at the time, one afternoon in Detroit through a TV feed from Canada. As far as I was concerned it was a sacrilegious excuse, which he uttered. I agree his winning goal was worldly but it did not excuse his earlier cheating. He was talented but not my fan for many reasons..

[Ponty]

I'll never forget the "hand of God" goal. I was in the Albert Gate pub in Keyham and was furious.

You're forgiven Diego.
RIP.

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I think it's very difficult to pinpoint one player as 'the greatest' although I think Maradona would be one of a very short list of contenders. He and Pele were named joint winners of FIFA's player of the 20th Century, with Maradona topping the online poll that was run:-

https://www.fifa.com/news/pele-and-mara ... tens-76134

Certainly Maradona doesn't have the consistency or longevity of a Ronaldo or Messi, but then neither of them have had such a starring role in winning the World Cup for their country as Maradona did in 1986. Or transformed a club (Napoli) in quite the same way.

I think the other thing to consider is that Maradona played in an era where the greatest players were blatantly and cynically hacked down.

These days Ronaldo and Messi have it easy where defenders are scared to even make any contact.

Maradona is easily in the top three players of all time. Considering he played in Argentina, Spain and Italy, whereas Pele only played in Brazil, he might even be at the top.

You have clearly not watched much of Messi if you don't think that he is cynically fouled in the same way players were back in the 90's. He has a hatchet job done on him most games, gets kicked all over the pitch, but always tries to stay on his feet and carry on playing. Maybe if you had watched La Liga on a consistent basis over the last 10 years you would actually know that.

I have watched La Liga over the last 10 years and am well aware that Messi is targeted (I was jesting a little in my post). However, I'd still say the cynical tackling of the 80s was at a different level. Often the referees would turn a blind eye to it. At least these days players are shown a card on the whole.

Played until he was 37, 259 goals in 491 games, 4 World Cups and 91 caps (thanks Wiki). He was more than just a character, the guy was a footballing genius. I loved watching him. RIP Diego.

Amen to that.
That 1986 Argentina side was average almost workmanlike but through his skill, sheer will and desire they won the World Cup.
5 goals and 5 assists. And what he did at Napoli was astonishing. No surprise he's considered a god there. RIP Diego.

he scored 4 goals NOT 5.

Just look at Chelsea v Leeds or Celtic v Racing Club if you want to see 'tackles'.

Messi is virally molly coddled compared to what Stan Bowles, Georgie Best and Jinky Johnstone had to endure.

Greatest player in Football is at the discretion of the individual.
I could choose from; Puskas—Di Stephano—Moore—Beckanbaur—Pele—Maradona—Best— et al.
They were all larger than life with amazing talent and at their peak untouchable.
R I P Diego

Absolutely IJN, the Chelsea v Leeds replay would have ended 7 a side today, probably the roughest domestic game I have seen.
Messi whilst targeted has a much easier ride than his predecessors. He has also whilst being outragrousley talented benefitted from a career blessed playing with numerous almost as gifted team mates. Maradona winning the league with Napoli would be like Messi signing for Everton and them winning the league today. He also won the World cup with Argentina being far and away their star player while Messi has never reached great heights with his country. Different eras and different players but Maradona is right up there with the greatest of all time on the playing field. You can only really be the best of your own era just as Di Stefano, Pele, Cruyff, Maradona, Ronaldo and Messi to name a handful were or are.

Greatest player in Football is at the discretion of the individual.
I could choose from; Puskas—Di Stephano—Moore—Beckanbaur—Pele—Maradona—Best— et al.
They were all larger than life with amazing talent and at their peak untouchable.
R I P Diego

Not forgetting Lev Yashin of course.

I've just watched his wonder goal against England again and there's something I'd never really noticed before (how many times have I seen it? )...... but how crap was the pitch? As he's running the ball is bobbling around like it's a park pitch. Makes it even more amazing - if that's possible.

Hard to compare players of different eras but aswell as winning a World cup almost single handed (Argentina would have been exceedingly average without him) - his triumph for Napoli was arguably even more amazing. We didn't get to see it in this country but pundits who did all say how incredible he was. Remember northern teams had always dominated Italian football - Juve, AC & Inter Milan & Roma - no southern team had won the title previously. Messi is a genius but he's alwsys played with other great players - and never quite done it internstionally - not like Maradona anyway.

A flawed and sometimes obnoxious man - but a genius footballer. RIP.