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7. George Best
George Best doing what he is best at.
Manchester United legend George Best is hailed by many as one the greatest players of all time. He was a genius on the football pitch. At United, he scored 179 goals from 470 appearances and was the club’s leading goal-scorer in four consecutive seasons.
Not only was he a goal scorer, but also a great dribbler. Some even consider him as one of the greatest dribblers of all time. Featuring primarily at right-wing, Best’s playing style combined pace, balance, skill, feints, two-footedness, and the unprecedented ability to beat the defender with ease.
Although he mainly used his right foot to cut away from the opposition’s defenders, he was equally adept with his left foot. Best used both the inside and outside of the foot to allow himself to quickly change direction or dodge tackles and create space to shoot or pass.
There is a saying in Belfast that goes like, Pele good, Maradona better, George best. And, quite simply, he was the best.
6. Johan Cruyff
Cruyff had his signature move named after him. hing could ever stop Ronaldo
Johan Cruyff was one of the mainstays of the Holland national team that gave us total football in the early 70s. Although primarily a centre-forward, his national side’s new line of football demanded more from every player and Cruyff always delivered on all fronts.
Many even regarded him to be a natural successor to Pele. Cruyff had the uncanny ability to identify the weak spots in the opposition’s defence. He would see the gap and suddenly accelerate and make his way into the penalty area. A great dribbler, he even got his signature move, the “Cruyff turn”, named after him.
His tendency of dropping deep or drifting wide was unheard of for a central forward in those days, and that is what set him apart from the rest. Incredible poise, immaculate balance, excellent ball control, an astounding burst of speed made him the complete package.
5. Ronaldo Nazario
Nothing could stop El Fenomeno, Ronaldo Nazario.
Ronaldo Nazario or El Fenomeno, as people called him, is widely considered as the greatest ever central forward to have graced the game. Much like Pele, he too was known for his goal-scoring prowess and clinical finishing, but the Brazilian hitman was a rare breed.
He was the complete package – he could score, create and outfox his opponent at his own will. He was often seen making breathtaking solo runs and finally placing the ball past the keeper with considerable ease. Ronaldo used his trademark step-overs to significant effect.
Maybe if it weren’t for the injuries, he would have been the greatest ever player. Perhaps, he would have carved an even bigger legacy than he already has. During his prime, there was nothing that could stop him and three FIFA World Player of the Year awards stand as a testament to his greatness.
4. Diego Maradona
Diego Maradona’s career was one which was built on brilliance, blurred boundaries and, of course, spectacular over-indulgence. There have not been many who have used a World Cup as a platform to enthral the world, and Maradona was one such man.
In 1986, he sealed his legacy by delivering the most virtuoso performance ever seen at a World Cup, single-handedly leading an otherwise unexceptional Argentine team to glory. Controversial? No doubt. But yet he was adored and loved for his mercurial talent.
The Argentine was part urchin, part prince. Squat, impudent, omnipotent – he would use his low centre of gravity to great effect which made him one of the greatest dribblers in football. His immaculate control made it impossible to knock off the ball of Maradona.
He has scored one of the greatest individual goals of all time – which was later voted to be The Goal of the Century – dribbling past four English outfield players and the goalkeeper to slot the ball in the net.
