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#3 Pele
Regarded by many as the greatest player to have played the game, Pele's legacy in football can only be challenged by a select few.
Like Zico, Pele spent the majority of his playing career in Brazil. A legend for Santos, Pele made 656 appearances in all competitions for the club since his debut in 1956 and scored 643 goals (numbers vary). The Brazilian played predominantly as a striker but was great on the ball as well.
For Brazil, Pele made 92 appearances, scoring 77 goals. He won the FIFA World Cup thrice, in 1958, 1962, and then in 1970. He is the all-time leading goalscorer for Brazil and Santos.
#2 Lionel Messi
One of the greatest players of all time and Barcelona's greatest ever, Lionel Messi, has enjoyed a magnificent career at the top level.
The Argentina international made his debut for Barcelona in 2004, and his talent was evident from the get-go. A world-class dribbler, creator and goalscorer, Messi is multiple players rolled into one. His brilliance has often been the difference between a win for Barcelona and a loss.
Messi has made 774 appearances in all competitions for Barcelona, scoring 668 goals and providing 292 assists. The 33-year-old's Barcelona contract expires in the summer and has been heavily linked to Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain.
#1 Diego Maradona
Comparisons are often made between Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona, with the footballers regarded as Argentina's finest. Both footballers also have a similar playing style.
Maradona is adored and respected in Argentina. Despite being a controversial figure throughout his life, Maradona's talent was out of this world. At club level, the Argentine shined for Italian giant Napoli, while for the Argentinian national team, he was a talisman during his prime.
Like Messi, Maradona was an excellent dribbler with world-class ability on the ball. His unpredictable nature helped him on the field, even though his actions off the field earned him criticism. For Argentina, Maradona played a crucial role as they triumphed in the 1986 FIFA World Cup. Napoli's stadium is named after him.
Diego Maradona passed away after a heart attack in November 2020.
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