>Taste and time dependent, sure. Comparing them is indeed fruitless. That's why I opposed. Pelé is all to easy considered the number one by many.
>

You know the hate FIFA's directors had against Maradona? Not long ago there was a poll to "determine" which one was the best player of the century, FIFA thought Pele would won for sure, but, surprise, the winner of the poll was Maradona, then FIFA changed their own rules, saying that there would be another poll, this time not for the public but for FIFA managers, which Pele won and thus were both "selected" as best players of the century. Piece of crap if you ask me.

(Here a link I googled: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/soccer/news/2000/12/11/pele_maradona/)


>>Unfortunately Cruyff only participated in one World Cup (the most important event in soccer), where great players arise leading their teams to victory and are remembered for world wide. That’s something that he couldn't finally get, despite the fabulous Dutch National team of 1974 in Germany, unlike Maradona or Pele.
>
>After 1974 he further refused to participate.
>


I think he refused to go to Argentina in '78 for there was a dictatorship there by the time.